The New York Knicks have dropped the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals at home to the Indiana Pacers. After a wild Game 1 between the two sides, Game 2 was much more tightly-contested, but the Pacers were able to come out with a big win.

If the New York Knicks fail to recover in the Eastern Conference Final, they're going to be seeing visions of Pascal Siakam in their dreams throughout the offseason. Indiana's star forward torched the Knicks inside Madison Square Garden throughout Friday's scintillating performance in Game 2 as the Pacers took a commanding lead in the series behind Siakam's playoff-best 39 points.

The Knicks ended up blowing a 3-1 series lead. Now there is 2025, the Knicks blowing that 14-point lead with 2:39 left in Game 1, unable to recover in overtime. Who knows how Game 2 goes had the Knicks closed out Game 1?

Now, a former NBA star has spoken out with stern criticism for Thibodeau. Isaiah Thomas thinks that coaching has been another issue for the Knicks. "Thibs getting out coached," Thomas said. "This happens to his teams every year. They die out because he doesn't trust his bench."

And yet, there was Towns, a five-time All-Star (including this season), subbing out with 9 minutes left and the Knicks trailing by nine to the Pacers. He did not return until the 2:25 mark with New York still trailing by nine. Reserve center Mitchell Robinson, a defensive stud who has offensive issues, was on the court in Towns’ place.

Rick Carlisle turned to little-used reserve big man Tony Bradley for a couple of brief stints to combat Mitchell Robinson’s athleticism on the boards.