Mitch Robinson RIPS APART Hyena-Like Pacers. NY 101 Indiana 92

March 14, 2026 LouV 2025-26 0
Mitchell Robinson ripped down 22 rebounds, 9 of them offensive leading to 2nd-chance buckets, with 12 pts, 2 steals, 2 blocks and a +20. Photo courtesy NY Knicks.

The Pacers are trying to lose every game they play this season — in Tank mode after they lost Tyrese Haliburton for the year, let Myles Turner go, and re-acquired their #1 pick.

Except when they play the Knicks.

Then coach Rick Carlisle has them play like a group of hyenas to the buzzer.

And so it was on this night — a game after Indiana had not played regulars T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith, and Obi Toppin for ‘rest’ and only played Andrew Nembhard 17 minutes — the Pacers treated this game like a playoff matchup.

But the Knicks were able to squeeze out a win in the final minutes — turning a 2-pt lead with 2:56 left into a 101-92 victory on a Friday night in Indiana.

Mitchell Robinson was the player of the game — ripping apart the Pacers like a Lion does to a bunch of hyenas — grabbing 22 rebounds — 9 of them offensive, many of which led to buckets on 2nd-chance opportunities. None was bigger than an offensive rebound Mitch got with 2:07 left that led to a HUGE 3 by Mikal Bridges which gave NY a 7-pt lead. A game changer.

OG Anunoby gave NY a 9-pt lead on the next possession — but still Indiana played frenetic full-court trap defense the final minute and a half — acting like a team in the playoffs vs a team that is now 15-52.

Jalen Brunson led NY in scoring with 29 pts on 11-25 shooting (0-3 from 3), and OG Anunoby was #2 scoring star with 25 pts on 8-16 shooting (2-4 from 3) on a night when both Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart sat with minor injuries. Mitch Robinson started at center in KAT’s absence, and played 31 minutes, scoring 12 pts on 6-10 shooting to go along with the 22 rebounds — with 2 steals, 2 blocks, and a game-high +20.

T.J. McConnell was the main pain in the ass for the Pacers — as he always is; he scored 10 pts on 5-9 shooting in 20 minutes. Jarace Walker had 18 pts, Andrew Nembhard was limited by Knick D to 8 pts on 3-14 shooting (0-3 from 3) and Aaron Nesmith was limited to 12 pts on 5-13 shooting (1-5 from 3).

“We had some guys out, so I had to step up,” said Mitchell Robinson afterwards. ”

“That’s just big time,” said Knick Jordan Clarkson afterwards about Mitch’s performance. “He’s been doing things at a high level all year, especially defensively…just doing things on that side, causing havoc. It’s a big game for him. We proud of him.”

NY improves to 43-25, and are 1 game back of Boston for 2nd in the East, and 6 back of Detroit. Indiana has the worst record in the NBA at 15-52.

1. NY Breaks on Top — Leads 24-21 After 1

It was a Jalen Brunson–Mitchell Robinson show from the start for the Knicks — with Brunson in his bag from the get go — 9 pts in the 1st quarter, while Mitchell Robinson — starting at center in place of the injured KAT — got a career-high 9 rebounds in a quarter. Mitch also scored on an alley-oop slam with assist OG Anunoby.

NY led 24-21 after 1.

2. OG & Brunson Tears Give NY 11-Pt Lead at Half

OG started to dominate at the beginning of the 2nd — going to the bucket for scores, and feeding Mitchell Robinson for another alley-oop slam.

It was a tie game 37-37 when Brunson re-entered with 6 minutes left in the quarter and went on a tear — scoring 8 straight points to put NY up 45-37.

Mitchell Robinson got another dunk inside off an OG assist late in the quarter, and Landry Shamet hit a 3 with 9 seconds left to give NY an 11-pt halftime lead at 56-45.

3. NY Goes Up by 15 in 3rd; Pacers Come Back to Take Lead

Mitchell Robinson got another offensive rebound and tip-in to start the 3rd, and an OG 3 a minute later, and Landry Shamet free throw on the next possession gave NY a 15-pt lead.

But Indiana came back — Jay Huff hit consecutive 3’s — the later a 3-and-1 — and just like that the Pacers were down 6. Kobe Brown and Jay Huff continue to get buckets, and then T.J. McConnell came in late in the period to up the Pacer attack.

A Jarace Walker 3 pulled Indiana within 2, and a T.J. McConnell floater tied the game at 71.

Jalen Brunson scored the other way but an Aaron Nesmith 3 put Indiana up 74-73.

Jordan Clarkson hit a 3 at the buzzer to put NY back on top 76-74 entering the 4th.

4. McConnell Pain in Ass in 4th

OG scored on a drive-and-1 to start the 4th, and Jordan Clarkson scored on a layup to put NY back up by 7 at 81-74.

But the Pacers still had McConnell in the game — and the only question Knick fans always have is, why do they only play him 20 minutes a game — because he is a royal pain in the ass.

McConnell quickly got the Pacers back with penetrations and pullups — scoring 6 straight Pacer points, bringing them within 85-83 with 6:58 left.

And then — magically — the Pacers took him out, bringing in Andrew Nembhard for him.

5. Mitch & Knicks Take It in Final 3 Minutes

The Knicks immediately re-built their lead — Mitchell Robinson putting back an offensive rebound for an 88-83 lead. But Jarace Walker hit a 3 and it was a 2-pt game again.

Indiana put McConnell back with 3 minutes left — and it was going to be a dogfight to the finish.

OG Anunoby got fouled going to the hoop and made 2 free throws with 2:28 left to put NY up 92-88.

And then with 2:07 left, Jalen Brunson missed a floater, but Mitchell Robinson grabbed the offensive rebound, and fed it back outside where Mikal Bridges stuck a 3 from the right side for a 7-pt Knick lead. HUGE

NY defense forced McConnell into a miss on the other end, Brunson grabbed the rebound and fed OG in the open court who scored on a drive for a 97-88 Knick lead with 1:39 left and seemingly ballgame. Pacer timeout.

Pacers Played Intense Pressure D to the Final Seconds

  • But out of the timeout Aaron Nesmith scored on a quick drive and the Pacers applied maniacal full-court pressure defense — Nesmith stealing the ball from Brunson — but then missing a 3, Shamet getting the rebound.
  • Indiana fouled Brunson who made 2 free throws for a 99-90 Knick lead with 1:18 left.
  • Nesmith missed a drive down the other end, but again Indiana played wild-hyena defense and caused OG to turn the ball over.
  • But Jay Huff missed a 3, Shamet grabbing the rebound and bringing it up against more maniacal pressure D. Bridges, purposely fouled — hit 2 free throws to put NY up 11 with 45 seconds left.
  • Jarace Walker scored with 34 seconds left, and finally NY walked off the 24 second-clock, and the Pacers did the same on the other end for the old ballgame.

The Boxscore

https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401810817

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*