Knicks’ Jalen Brunson Still Bothered by Pacers One Year After Playoff
A year has passed, but for Jalen Brunson, the memories of that bitter playoff defeat still linger.
The New York Knicks guard, who emerged as the undisputed heart and soul of the team during their 2024 postseason run, has not fully shaken off the pain of the Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers. For some, time heals. For Brunson, it fuels.
A Pain That Still Hurts
When asked during a recent offseason charity event about the series, Brunson didn’t hesitate. “It still bothers me,” he said. “That loss is something I think about almost every day.”
Brunson had carried the Knicks through most of the 2024 playoffs. He was playing some of the best basketball of his life—averaging over 32 points and nearly 8 assists during the postseason—but it all came crashing down in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. After sustaining a fractured left hand during the second half, Brunson was forced to exit a close game. The Pacers took advantage and stormed ahead, crushing the Knicks’ hopes of returning to the Eastern Conference Finals.
“I felt helpless,” Brunson recalled. “It’s one thing to lose. It’s another thing to not be able to fight.”
The Pacers Rivalry Renewed
Though the Knicks–Pacers rivalry traces back to the Reggie Miller–Patrick Ewing era of the 1990s, last year’s series added fresh fuel. The Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton and a deep, fast-paced squad, shocked many with their resilience and grit. Their ability to play physical, team-oriented basketball mirrored the Knicks’ identity, which made every contest a battle.
The series went the full seven games, filled with chippy play, technical fouls, and plenty of trash talk. And while the Knicks had won a dramatic Game 5 behind another Brunson masterpiece, Indiana responded with poise in Games 6 and 7, ultimately earning respect—and maybe some resentment—from their New York counterparts.
Brunson admits it wasn’t just about the injury or the loss. “They came into our house and beat us. That’s something that never sits right with a competitor,” he said.
Carrying the Weight
As much as the Knicks’ success was a team effort, Brunson was the engine. His performances often masked the team’s injuries—Julius Randle was out with a shoulder injury, OG Anunoby missed key games, and Mitchell Robinson was battling ankle issues.
“There was a point where it felt like it was all on Jalen,” one Knicks assistant coach said anonymously. “And he never complained. He just went out and gave us everything.”
But that burden came with consequences. The minutes piled up. The physical toll grew with each game. And yet Brunson kept going until his body finally said no in that pivotal second half of Game 7.
Even with the injury, Brunson finished the playoffs with averages that placed him among the postseason’s elite. But to him, those numbers mean little without the wins to match.
“I don’t play for stats. I play to win,” he said. “So if we didn’t get it done, I didn’t get it done.”
Offseason Motivation
Rather than take the summer to recover in peace, Brunson has used the offseason as a time of reflection and fuel. He’s been spotted in early training sessions, running private workouts, and even meeting with Knicks staff to review film—not of wins, but losses.
“People don’t understand how driven Jalen is,” said teammate Josh Hart. “He’s been thinking about the Pacers since the season ended.”
His workouts this summer have had a different tone. There’s been a focus on resilience—both physical and mental. Alongside his longtime trainer, Brunson has been working on injury prevention drills and adding new dimensions to his already impressive offensive arsenal.
“I’m not satisfied,” Brunson said. “If I can improve one thing every summer, then I’m doing my job.”
Team Reflection and Front Office Response
Knicks president Leon Rose and GM Scott Perry both admitted during the end-of-season press conference that the loss stung more than most. “We were close,” Rose said. “One or two breaks, and we’re in the Conference Finals.”
Part of the front office’s focus this summer has been supporting Brunson with a deeper, healthier roster. There have been whispers about pursuing a high-level wing player in free agency. The Knicks are also reportedly in talks to extend Brunson’s contract, ensuring he remains the franchise cornerstone for years to come.
Coach Tom Thibodeau, who has built his Knicks identity around toughness and defense, remains unequivocal in his praise for Brunson.
“He’s everything you want in a leader,” Thibodeau said. “Tough. Smart. Competitive. But most importantly, accountable. He takes losses personally. And that’s why he’s going to keep getting better.”
Looking Ahead: Redemption Tour
With the 2025 playoffs on the distant horizon, the Knicks and Brunson are setting their sights on one thing: redemption.
The Eastern Conference has only grown tougher. The Celtics are still formidable. Milwaukee, with a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo, remains a threat. The Cavaliers and Heat are both retooling. And then there’s Indiana—a young, hungry squad who now knows what it takes to win a playoff series on the road.
“We’ll see them again,” Brunson said of the Pacers. “I believe that.”
The NBA schedule hasn’t been released yet, but fans are already circling the inevitable rematch between New York and Indiana. And you can bet that game—especially the one in the Garden—will carry extra intensity.
“We owe them one,” said Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo. “And we know Jalen hasn’t forgotten.”
The Bigger Picture: Growth Through Pain
What separates good players from great ones is how they respond to setbacks. For Brunson, last season was both a breakout and a heartbreak. He established himself as a bona fide star. But the injury and Game 7 loss left a scar.
That scar, though, may be the very thing that elevates him to new heights.
Brunson’s journey to this point wasn’t conventional. He was drafted in the second round. He wasn’t given the keys in Dallas. He earned everything—through work, through belief, and through pain.
And now, on a Knicks team that has rediscovered relevance thanks in large part to him, Brunson stands not just as a point guard or a scorer—but as a leader with unfinished business.
“I’m not running from it,” Brunson said. “That loss hurt. But it taught me too. It showed me what it takes. And I’m going to be ready when the next opportunity comes.”
Conclusion
Jalen Brunson may not speak in headlines, but his game—and his mindset—speak volumes. One year after a crushing defeat at the hands of the Pacers, he hasn’t let go. And maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe that lingering pain is what will drive him and the Knicks to something greater.
Because if there’s one thing clear from his words and his work, it’s this:
Jalen Brunson isn’t done.
He’s just getting started.
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