After Celtics’ 3-point barrage, Knicks look to tighten perimeter D with Pacers up next

The Knicks’ road to redemption starts with defense.

After a season-opening record-tying barrage of 29 made threes from the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, the Knicks must fix their perimeter defense or risk a repeat disaster when the same Indiana Pacers responsible for last season’s early exit come to Madison Square Garden on Friday.

While the Celtics are capable of getting hot from downtown any night, the Knicks did themselves no favors by conceding uncontested three-point looks from the opening tip.

It’s something they must correct before welcoming the Pacers, another aggressive three-point shooting team that shot just 9-of-31 from deep in their season-opening victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday. Despite the Pacers’ cold shooting that night, their perimeter threat is undeniable, with 10 key players shooting average or better from beyond the arc—and five of them hitting 40% or more last season.

But the Pacers’ danger doesn’t stop at the three-point line. Their fast-paced, run-and-gun style creates havoc in transition, where they thrive on quick scoring opportunities, thanks to All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s court vision and shot creation.

The Knicks, already thin due to injuries, will have their hands full. Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery) are both sidelined, and the team recently waived Landry Shamet after he dislocated his shoulder.

Facing a Pacers team that goes 10-deep, New York’s depth will be tested as they look to build chemistry with a revamped starting lineup following offseason trades.

“The speed of the game, their depth, they’re a terrific team,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said after Thursday’s practice in Tarrytown. “They play fast, they can hurt you in transition, they can hurt you with the three, and they have quality depth.”

These Pacers, of course, eliminated a depleted Knicks team in Game 7 of last season’s Eastern Conference semifinals. The memory of that loss still lingers in the Knicks’ practice facility.

Friday’s rematch promises plenty of drama, as two All-Star duos — Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam for Indiana; Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns for the Knicks — square off.

“A lot of people said we were getting blown out, but I remember in the second half we were making a little run,” said Brunson, recalling the elimination game after practice on Thursday. “And then obviously I broke my hand, and the game ended, losing by double digits. You can always say what it was, but they won, and we’ve got to live with that. We’ve got to move forward.”

To beat the Pacers, the Knicks will need a complete turnaround from their defensive showing in Boston.

The Celtics made 10 of 17 three-point attempts in the first quarter alone and hit 16 of their first 29 by halftime. They shot 9-of-13 from beyond the arc in the third period, but missed their last 13 attempts in the fourth, tallying 61 total threes attempted on the night.

Of Boston’s 29 made threes, Jayson Tatum accounted for eight on just 11 attempts. He went  4-of-6 from downtown in the first quarter, powering Boston to an early 35-17 lead. The Knicks never recovered.

“It started with Jayson knocking down a lot of shots off the pick-and-roll, and then us adjusting and him making the right play, getting us in rotation,” Brunson said after the loss in Boston. “So gotta give the credit to them. They’re a good team. What they do is unique, and we were just on our heels all night.”

The Knicks allowed 45 three-point attempts in the first three quarters alone — an unacceptable number for a team that prides itself on defense.

Heading into Friday, the Knicks know they must improve, especially against a Pacers squad primed to exploit similar weaknesses.

“It was a compilation of things from A to Z defensively,” Thibodeau explained. “How we guarded the ball, our body position, challenging shots, giving up second chances. So we’ve got to clean that up.”

Mikal Bridges, who had the primary task of guarding Tatum, emphasized that preventing open looks starts with better on-ball defense.

“I think it starts with being aggressive on the ball, putting pressure, coming off ball screens, and then flying around and being on their toes when they’re about to shoot,” Bridges said after practice. “When a guy comes off the ball screen, you’ve got to put pressure on him so they don’t make easy passes. Make them throw higher passes so teammates get a chance to rotate back out.”

Brunson had a more straightforward take on fixing the team’s defensive flaws. As the Knicks look ahead to the Pacers, they’re focused on improving quickly.

“Practice harder, be better at running shooters off the three-point line,” Brunson said. “Reps, and honestly, just being better. It’s as simple as that. You can talk about Xs and Os, but you’ve just got to start the game better. We didn’t show up.

With last season’s painful loss still fresh, the Knicks know their redemption hinges on one thing: defense. And to avoid a repeat of being run off their own floor, they’ll need all of it — and more — when the Pacers come calling on Friday.

“I don’t think there’s any other way to look at it. It’s going to be a challenge for us,” said Brunson. “It’s a team we lost to last year. They have our number. We’ve just got to be ready to go.”

For the Knicks, Friday’s matchup is more than just another game — it’s a chance to change the narrative about their defense and reclaim their identity as a contender.