In their first game after the All-Star break, the Pacers headed to halftime on Friday night at Madison Square Garden leading the New York Knicks, 51-4.
The Pacers showed some rust early on Friday in their first game in nine days. Indiana went just 6-for-23 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point range in the first quarter. Fortunately for the Blue & Gold, the Knicks were only marginally better, taking a 20-15 lead after one.
Playing a lineup of four reserves alongside All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis, the Pacers were much better offensively at the start of the second quarter, surpassing their first-quarter point total just 4:09 into the frame.