Tom Thibodeau, Knicks baffled after loss to shorthanded Pacers

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau watches during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Indianapolis. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings

INDIANAPOLIS — When the game was over Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse the Knicks moved one by one into the postgame interviews and tried to explain away what had happened. And mostly, they were at a loss for words or trying to hold their tongues.

The Knicks were dominated by a Pacers squad already missing players to injury and illness and not caught up in a swirl of the front office informing them that they were open for business on the trade market. And that marked the second time in three games…