The lip readers are about to have a field day.
Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby had a tense exchange on the Knicks’ sideline Wednesday during the final moments of regulation in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers — which ended in a shock 138-135 overtime loss at Madison Square Garden to give Indiana a 1-0 series lead.
Anouby approached a seated Towns on the bench after the Pacers came within five points of the Knicks, 123-118, with 34 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
The TNT broadcast captured Anouby appearing to press Towns before sitting down, with the heated conversation continuing.
As words were volleyed between the teammates, Jalen Brunson — who took a seat at Anouby’s left — tapped the small forward’s leg and pulled him back as he attempted to get closer to Towns.
The Knicks captain didn’t stay seated for long, though, as he rose from his spot on the bench and appeared to tell Towns to shut it down.
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The Pacers put up 23 points in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter — fueled by Aaron Nesmith’s 3-point barrage — forcing overtime in front of a shell-shocked Garden crowd.
The confrontation came after Nesmith hit the fifth of his six 3-pointers in the final five minutes.
“We didn’t close the game out,” Josh Hart said postgame. “I feel like our intensity dropped. We started playing slower, playing more into their hands.”
The Knicks became the first team to choke away a nine-point lead in the last minute of a playoff game since 1998.
Game 2 tips off Friday at 8 p.m. before the series shifts to Indiana for Games 3 and 4 beginning Sunday.
