Pacers vs. Knicks tonight: Rivalry returns to the Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET

The latest chapter of a classic Eastern rivalry tips off Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET, when New York welcomes Indiana to Madison Square Garden. One side arrives scorching, the other searching for traction, and both carry fresh memories from last spring’s playoff battles.

Tip-off context and recent meeting

New York enters at 34–19 and back on home parquet after a successful run that has vaulted it toward the top of the conference. Indiana, at 13–40, is in the midst of a rebuild on the fly. The season series stands 1–0 in New York’s favor after a one‑point road win on December 18, 2025 (114–113). Tonight is the first Garden meeting between these teams this season, with two more games scheduled down the stretch.

Form snapshot: surge vs. skid

New York has won nine of its last ten, a stretch defined by pace control, rebounding muscle, and increasingly balanced scoring around its lead guard. That run includes a double‑overtime thriller over the defending champions and a decisive win in Boston on Sunday. Indiana, meanwhile, is seeking to halt a four‑game slide, having fallen at Toronto and Milwaukee after back‑to‑back home defeats. Across those four, the Pacers have struggled to keep opponents off the glass and off the free‑throw line, putting pressure on half‑court efficiency.

Injury report and lineup watch

Indiana’s backcourt remains shorthanded with Tyrese Haliburton out for the season (Achilles). Frontcourt depth is also in flux: center Ivica Zubac is sidelined with an ankle issue, while several rotation pieces — T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Aaron Nesmith (hand) and Micah Potter (hip) — were listed as game‑time decisions as of Tuesday afternoon. Rookie wing Johnny Furphy remains out for the season (knee). For New York, OG Anunoby (toe) was listed as questionable, while Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Miles McBride (pelvis) are out. Any late status swing — particularly Anunoby’s availability — could reshape wing matchups and New York’s defensive switching menu.

Matchups to watch

• Lead guards: Jalen Brunson’s blend of change‑of‑pace and paint touches has keyed New York’s offense. Andrew Nembhard shoulders extensive on‑ball duty for Indiana; containing dribble penetration while also initiating cleanly against pressure will be pivotal to the Pacers staying attached early.
• Star forwards: Pascal Siakam remains Indiana’s primary advantage creator (23+ points per game). His comfort operating from the elbows and mid‑post will test New York’s weak‑side discipline and closeouts. If Anunoby is active, his point‑of‑attack strength on Siakam adds a chess piece; if not, expect more help‑heavy looks and crowding touches.
• On the glass: Karl‑Anthony Towns anchors New York’s rebounding (nearly 12 boards per game). With Zubac out, Indiana’s committee — Jay Huff, Jarace Walker and small‑ball lineups — must keep the margin manageable to avoid second‑chance avalanches.
• Wing spacing: Mikal Bridges’ quick‑release threes and relocation cuts have complemented Brunson’s drives. Indiana can’t afford cross‑matches to leak into rhythm corner looks.

Numbers and odds snapshot

Through Tuesday afternoon, New York is averaging roughly 117 points per game with a top‑tier rebound rate, while holding opponents near 112. Indiana sits near 111 points per game and allows about 118, with a negative rebounding differential. The market reflects the form lines: New York opened as a double‑digit favorite, hovering between −11.5 and −12, with a total in the 224–225 range as of midday ET. As always, lines can move near tip if player statuses change.

What’s at stake

For New York, this is about bankable wins and seeding leverage in a crowded top tier — and doing it without overtaxing minutes as a long February grind continues. For Indiana, it’s a measuring‑stick night: halting the skid, spotlighting development reps in high‑leverage possessions, and reestablishing defensive physicality that fueled last spring’s surge. The rivalry never lacks theater; tonight’s installment will show whether the Pacers can slow the Garden’s momentum, or if New York continues to press its advantage before the schedule stiffens again.

Sources consulted: ESPN, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, Madison Square Garden