Knicks Stunned by Pacers Despite Lopsided Records

Jalen Brunson warns against underestimating Indiana's scrappy squad.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The New York Knicks suffered a surprising upset loss to the 15th-seeded Indiana Pacers, despite the Pacers having only 13 wins heading into the Tuesday night matchup. Knicks star Jalen Brunson cautioned against overlooking the Pacers, noting their confidence, rhythm, coaching, and ability to play hard until the final seconds.

Why it matters

The Pacers have proven to be a tough matchup for the Knicks, even when the teams' records suggest a lopsided outcome. This loss highlights the Knicks' need to bring their A-game against any opponent, no matter their standing in the league.

The details

The Knicks, who had recently gone on an eight-game winning streak, were expected to easily defeat the undermanned Pacers. However, the Pacers, led by veteran head coach Rick Carlisle, found a way to pull off the upset. Brunson praised the Pacers' confidence, rhythm, and effort, noting that they play hard until the final seconds.

  • The Knicks suffered this loss on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' star player and captain, who warned against underestimating the Pacers.

Rick Carlisle

The veteran head coach of the Indiana Pacers, known for his ability to devise game plans that give the Knicks trouble.

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What they’re saying

“They kept their confidence and rhythm the whole game. Regardless of what the record is, they're great. Great coach, they do everything well, they play hard, they play to the last second.”

— Jalen Brunson, Knicks Star Player (Sporting News)

What’s next

The Knicks will look to bounce back from this loss when they face the Pacers again later in the season.

The takeaway

This game serves as a reminder that the Pacers, despite their record, should never be underestimated. The Knicks will need to bring their best effort against any opponent, even those with inferior records, in order to achieve their goals this season.