NBA play-offs

New York Knicks struggle against Indiana

The Pacers inflicted a heavy defeat on New York.(Bild: AFP/GETTY IMAGES/Dylan Buell)

The New York Knicks suffered a major setback in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the North American Basketball League (NBA) on Sunday. 

They were beaten 89:121 by the Indiana Pacers and tied the game 2:2 in the best-of-seven series. In the West, champions Denver Nuggets equalized the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves at 2:2 with their second away win in a row. The Nuggets won 115-107.

The Knicks looked tired in Indianapolis and did not get into the game, as evidenced by a 14:34 deficit after the first quarter. The deficit was as much as 43 points at the start of the fourth quarter. New York only managed a shooting percentage of 33 percent from the field. Indiana's most successful player was Tyrese Haliburton with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists in just 27 minutes. Game five will be played in New York on Wednesday night (CEST).

Denver back in the race
The Nuggets, on the other hand, are back in the race after losing their first two home games against the Timberwolves. Thanks in part to a 37:16 run in the first two quarters, Denver managed to tie the game at 2:2. MVP Nikola Jokic contributed 35 points, Aaron Gordon hit an outstanding eleven of his twelve attempts from the field (27 points) and also had seven rebounds and six assists.

On the Timberwolves' side, a furious Anthony Edwards set a franchise play-off record with 44 points. With the two important away wins behind them, the Nuggets welcome the Timberwolves back to Denver on Wednesday night (CEST).