Jamal CollierMay 23, 2025, 10:54 PM ET
CloseJamal Collier is an NBA reporter at ESPN. Collier covers the Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls and the Midwest region of the NBA, including stories such as Minnesota’s iconic jersey swap between Anthony Edwards and Justin Jefferson. He has been at ESPN since Sept. 2021 and previously covered the Bulls for the Chicago Tribune. You can reach out to Jamal on Twitter @JamalCollier or via email Jamal.Collier@espn.com.Open Extended Reactions
NEW YORK — After a quiet performance from Pascal Siakam in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Pacers entered Friday night’s matchup against the Knicks determined to get him more involved in the offense.
It worked from the opening tip.
Siakam rattled off Indiana’s first 11 points, scored 17 in the first quarter overall and finished with a playoff career-high 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting to go with five rebounds and three assists. The performance helped silence the crowd at Madison Square Garden and gave the Pacers a 114-109 victory that put them ahead 2-0 in the series as it shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Sunday.
“That’s why we brought him here,” Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “That’s