Has any team comeback from 0-2 deficit in Conference Finals after losing two home games? History says Knicks are doomed

The New York Knicks suffered a heartbreaking 114-109 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Despite a valiant effort from Jalen Brunson, the Knicks find themselves down 0-2 in the series as they prepare to travel to Indiana for Games 3 and 4.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau’s team is not ready to throw in the towel just yet, but the odds are stacked against them. A demoralizing statistic from Underdog NBA, a basketball site on X (formerly Twitter), reveals that no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 0-2 deficit in the Conference Finals after losing the first two games at home.

The Knicks can only blame themselves for their current predicament. In Game 1, they squandered a 14-point lead with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, ultimately losing 138-135 in overtime. This collapse marked the first time in NBA history that a team had lost after leading by such a margin with so little time left on the clock.

While the Knicks’ defense showed up early in Game 2, their offense struggled in the fourth quarter. Despite a late rally led by Jalen Brunson, the Pacers managed to hold on for the win. Brunson had a chance to tie the game with a long-range shot in the closing seconds, but his attempt fell short.

Adding to the Knicks’ woes is their recent playoff record against the Pacers at Madison Square Garden. The team has now dropped three consecutive playoff games to the Pacers on their home court. The Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton played a significant role in breaking the hearts of Knicks fans in Game 2 with his standout performance.

Despite the historical odds and their recent struggles, Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby have an opportunity to turn the tide in Games 3 and 4 in Indiana. If they can secure at least one win on the road, the series will return to Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will look to finally end their playoff slump against the Pacers.

As the Knicks face an uphill battle in the Eastern Conference finals, fans will be eagerly watching to see if they can defy the odds and mount a comeback against a resilient Pacers team. Only time will tell if New York can overcome their early series deficit and keep their championship aspirations alive.