Indiana Pacers Take 2-0 Lead Over Knicks Behind Siakam's 39 Points

The Indiana Pacers have taken a surprising 2-0 lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals with back-to-back wins at Madison Square Garden, largely fueled by Pascal Siakam's standout performances. Siakam scored a game-high 39 points in Game 2, showcasing his scoring versatility and efficiency, and is averaging 28 points on 56.4% shooting through the two games. Golden State Warriors defender Draymond Green praised Siakam's difficulty to guard, recalling how Siakam 'destroyed' him during the 2019 NBA Finals when Siakam led the Toronto Raptors to a championship. Green highlighted Siakam's unpredictable scoring style and physicality, comparing him to Boris Diaw and emphasizing how Siakam spins off defenders to get leverage. Siakam's past performances, including a career-high 52 points against the Knicks and his Finals averages of 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds, underline his status as a formidable playoff scorer. The Pacers now head home with a two-game advantage, putting the Knicks in a challenging position to respond in the series.