In a series where momentum has shifted day by day, the New York Knicks have a big lead waiting for them in Sunday’s Game 7: Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks lost to the Pacers, 116-103, in Game 6 on Thursday, as Indiana rallied from a 30-point loss in Game 5 to force the deciding Game 7.
Now the series, in which the home team has not lost, once again focuses on MSG.
Speaking after Game 6, Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo said this exact situation is what anyone hopes for when they sign with the Knicks.
“This is what you live for. This is why you sign with the Knicks,” DiVincenzo said. “Coming home, playing in front of the Garden, Game 7, will be great.”
“This is what you live for. This is why you sign with the Knicks.”
– Donté DiVincenzo on playing Game 7 at Madison Square Garden pic.twitter.com/B54zoh8Jez
– Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 18, 2024
The Knicks will need the support of the raucous MSG crowd. The already shorthanded Knicks added another injury to their growing list in Game 6, with Josh Hart suffering an unidentified abdominal injury. Hart suffered the injury in the first quarter. He was in and out of the game for the next two periods, but did not finish the game. His status for Game 7 is unknown.
Whether Hart can leave or not, the Pacers clearly have the advantage in healthy, capable bodies. The Knicks will have to hope their home crowd can give them a boost of energy.
After Game 6, DiVincenzo said this is exactly why the Knicks fought for second place and home-field advantage throughout the 82nd game of the regular season.
“This is the exact reason we played the last two games to get those two spots,” DiVincenzo said. “This is the exact reason. We’re going home, Game 7. We know the Garden is going to be rocking and we’re trying to handle business.”
The last time the Knicks played a Game 7 at MSG was in 1995, against the Pacers. They lost on a last-second missed layup by Patrick Ewing to tie the game.
The Knicks are hoping for a different outcome this time.
