If Knicks lose tonight, they’re toast
Seeding changes for CFP. Leafs fire president. Penski talks violations
Good morning, all!
The New York Knicks committed one of the most epic collapses in sports history Wednesday night in losing to the Indiana Pacers, 138-135 in OT in Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals. Don’t believe me? Check the score bug in the picture below.
That was the score, when I went to bed. When I awakened on Thursday morning, I read they had lost. It must have been some kind of joke, I thought. Bots must have hijacked the internet and chosen to send loyal Knicks fans into a tizzy, rather than target Newark Airport for a day.
The good news for the Knicks, even though they kissed away home court advantage, is that there is a short turnaround. Game two is tonight at MSG and the Knicks have the chance to silence the doubters and set the tone for the rest of the playoffs. They are not the first team to blow a lead, although they are the first team ever to blow such a huge advantage in the closing moments of a game.
For the Knicks, however, there is mucho time to turn this series around. As much as they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, reality says it was only Game One. Rather than have to stew for two or three days, before the next game is played, they get to go right at it tonight. Reality also says, from this corner, anyway, is that if they do not win tonight, they will not win this series.
Kudos to the Pacers for never quitting. This is not their first rodeo. Remember this team went to the conference finals last year, so it knows the definition of pressure. Because of New York’s epic collapse on Wednesday, the pressure is on for Friday. We will see how both teams respond, but as far as I am concerned, regardless of the metrics, if the Knicks do not win tonight, they are T-O-A-S-T!
Here are some other DAN ON SPORTS top stories for Friday, May 23, 2025:
Pacers-Knicks a ratings hit. 6.6M watch
College Football Playoffs going to straight seeding
College sports commission put on hold
Member of one of India’s richest families buys stake in Celtics
WNBA’s Liberty sell stake in team at huge price. And you want to know why the Connecticut Sun are exploring a sale possibility?
Shame on these losers, making threats. Red Sox reliever claims death threats after poor outings. I will have more to say about this in an upcoming podcast/commentary
LPGA has new commissioner
Eagles looking to profit off of tush push survival
Roger Penske talks Indy 500 qualifying violations
Ump admits screwing up call. “That’s on me.”
Former MLB player sues Reds for ending his career
Maple Leafs oust team president
Cards lose cornerback for season. Injury unknown
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DAN