Key Points

Jalen Brunson's Return Sparks Knicks to 2-0 Lead Over Pacers

Key Points

* Jalen Brunson's return from injury propelled the New York Knicks to a 2-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. * The Pacers, who had been struggling offensively, showed signs of improvement in Game 4, led by Tyrese Haliburton.

Game Recap

In a pivotal Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the New York Knicks emerged victorious over the Indiana Pacers, taking a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The return of Jalen Brunson from a foot injury proved to be instrumental in the Knicks' triumph.

Brunson, who had missed the previous two games, scored 20 points and dished out six assists, providing a much-needed spark for the Knicks' offense. His return allowed Immanuel Quickley to shift to his more natural shooting guard position, which helped improve the Knicks' overall team performance.

However, the Pacers did not go down without a fight. Led by the impressive play of Tyrese Haliburton, who finished with 33 points and nine rebounds, the Pacers displayed flashes of their top-form selves. They shot 50.6% from the field, an improvement from their Game 1 performance.

Despite the Pacers' improved offensive output, the Knicks' defense faltered, allowing Indiana to shoot efficiently and gain a significant advantage in the paint. The Knicks will need to address these defensive lapses in order to maintain their series lead.

The Eastern Conference semifinal series now shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 and Game 4, with the Pacers eager to get back into contention. The Knicks, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on their momentum and extend their lead to 3-0.