Due to an ankle injury, Croatian basketball center Ivica Zubac is still waiting for his debut in his new NBA team, last year’s finalists Indiana Pacers, who even without him managed to beat the New York Knicks 137-134 after overtime.
Last year, the Knicks and Pacers played phenomenal finale The Eastern Conference in the playoffs with a series of dramatic reversals in the end, primarily directed by the Pacers, and the visitors from Indiana reminded of those meetings on Tuesday, even though they are out of the competition for the highest goals this season due to a series of injuries.
The Pacers were within reach of victory and without overtimethey led 124-122 when Landry Shamet’s missed 3-pointer was ruled a foul by Aaron Nesmith, stopping Karl-Anthony Towns under the hoop before time expired. Towns scored both free throws and took the match into overtime.
When the Pacers took a 135-126 lead 24 seconds before the end of overtime, it looked like the end would be a formality, but the Knicks got the ball at 137-134 with a few seconds left on the scoreboard. A second before the end, Nesmith stopped Shamet with a foul, but the latter missed both free throws, the second on purpose so that the Knicks would try to get the ball with a jump attack, but without success.
Pascal Siakam is led the Pacers with 30 pointsAndrew Nembhard added 24 with 10 assists, while Jalen Brunson’s 40 interceptions, Towns’ 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Josh Hart’s triple-double of 15 hits, 11 rebounds and assists were not enough for the Knicks.
An OT win at The Garden ✔️#PacersWin pic.twitter.com/3Y15FRA6O0
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 11, 2026
Tonight’s derby was supposed to be played in Los Angeles where they are Lakers hosted San Antonio Spursbut since there was no Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Austin Reaves and DeAndre Ayton in the home team, the winner was practically known even before the start. Spurs justified their role as favorites in an impressive way and celebrated with 136-108, and already after the first half they had a big 84-55. Victor Wembanyama was phenomenal in those first 24 minutes, he scored 37 of his total of 40 points in the first half, 25 in the first quarter, and added 12 rebounds. Luke Kennard and Drew Timme were the most effective for the Lakers with 14 points each.
The Spurs are second in the West at 37-16, while the Lakers are fifth at 32-21.
In the remaining two games of the evening, the home team won. Houston Rockets were better than 102-95 Los Angeles Clipperswhile the Phoenix Suns won 120-111 Dallas Mavericks.
Kevin Durant scored 26 for the Rockets, Kawhi Leonard was the first name of the Clippers in Houston with 24 interceptions, while Dillon Brooks led the Suns to victory with 23 points, and Naji Marshall was the most effective for the Mavs with 31 hits.
With a 34-20 win-loss record, New York is third in the East, while Indiana is still last in its conference with 14-40.
We remind you that in the Western Conference derby that took place yesterday, Karlo Matković was excellent in the Pelicans’ victory over Sacramento.
Below are all the results of the matches played today:
New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers 134-137
Houston Rockets – Los Angeles Clippers 102-95
Phoenix Suns – Dallas Mavericks 120-111
Los Angeles Lakers – San Antonio Spurs 108-136
(Hina | Photo: Indiana Pacers)
