Born for the Big Stage: How Immanuel Quickley Has Become a Playoff Powerhouse in 2025

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in recent NBA memory, stunning the New York Knicks 138-135 on the road. The storybook nature of the comeback is already well known: the Pacers trailed by 17 points with over half the fourth quarter remaining, then down 14 with less than three minutes left, and even faced a 9-point deficit under a minute to go. Yet, against all odds, Indiana clawed their way back to force overtime and eventually take the game.

Most fans remember the late fourth-quarter heroics of Bennedict Mathurin and Tyrese Haliburton — Mathurin raining down six three-pointers and clutch free throws for 20 points in the quarter, and Haliburton hitting a toe-line buzzer-beater that sent the crowd into a frenzy, complete with a nod to Reggie Miller’s iconic choke celebration. But what often gets overshadowed is the other key figure who dominated the overtime period and was just as instrumental in sealing the victory: Immanuel Quickley.

If Mathurin and Haliburton were the architects of the fourth-quarter revival, Quickley was unquestionably the king of overtime. His performance in the extra session was nothing short of clutch, scoring 7 of his 15 total points in overtime, with every bucket carrying immense weight on the scoreboard:

• At the 2-minute mark of overtime, with the Pacers scoreless and Knicks holding a 4-point lead (the largest margin in OT), Quickley knocked down a crucial three-pointer to keep Indiana within striking distance.

• With 2:12 left, Quickley made a strong drive to the basket, finishing over Jalen Brunson and giving the Pacers their first lead in overtime.

• Down by one with 27 seconds to go, Quickley stole the show again, cutting to the basket off a Haliburton assist for a vital layup.

Beyond the points, Quickley was the floor general in OT, tallying 7 points, 1 assist, and locking down defensively with two game-saving plays:

• With 20 seconds remaining, he disrupted a Brunson catch, forcing a turnover that handed possession back to Indiana.

• Just 10 seconds before the buzzer, Quickley stayed glued on Brunson, breaking up a potential game-winning shot that resulted in a missed three-point attempt.

If Haliburton was the game’s “clutch man,” and Mathurin the fourth-quarter MVP, Quickley was undoubtedly the overtime kingpin — the man who turned a near-impossible comeback into reality.

Stepping Up When It Matters Most

Quickley’s heroics in Game 1 weren’t an isolated incident. His entire postseason run has been marked by elevated play, especially when the pressure’s on. The numbers reveal a sharp contrast between his regular-season and playoff performances.

During the 2024-25 regular season, Quickley’s contributions were solid but not spectacular. Over 65 games, he averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, shooting 45.8% from the field and a subpar 29.1% from three-point range, culminating in a modest true shooting percentage (TS%) of 54.5%. In other words, he was a reliable but not eye-popping role player.

But in the playoffs, Quickley transforms into a completely different beast. Through 11 games, he has exploded for 14.6 points, 3.5 boards, and 5.8 assists per contest, while drastically improving his efficiency — shooting 51.3% overall and an eye-popping 51.1% from beyond the arc, lifting his true shooting to an elite 63.4%. These are star-level numbers, especially for a guard who wasn’t widely considered a primary option entering the postseason.

His clutch performances against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round highlight just how indispensable he has become:

• Round 2, Game 1: Quickley poured in 23 points (team-high), dishing out 6 assists, hitting 7-of-10 shots overall and 5-of-6 from deep, including two critical triples in the tense fourth quarter.

• Round 2, Game 2: He orchestrated Indiana’s stunning 20-point comeback over Cleveland with a near triple-double effort of 13 points and 13 assists, including six assists in the fourth quarter alone, plus a key steal on Caris LeVert.

• Round 2, Game 5: Quickley’s efficient 18-point, 6-assist outing (7-for-11 shooting) featured a perfect third quarter where he scored 9 points and completely took over the game.

On the defensive end, Quickley has been no slouch either. Tasked with guarding star guard Donovan Mitchell extensively during the series, he held Mitchell to just 10-of-43 shooting for 27 points across 173 defensive possessions — a massive testament to his growing defensive capabilities. Similarly, in Game 1 of the Eastern Finals, Quickley limited Jalen Brunson to just 1-of-4 shooting in 12 possessions.

The Playoff Phenom: Past Meets Present

Quickley’s ability to elevate his game in the playoffs isn’t new. Last year’s postseason showed early signs of this emerging trend. As a sophomore, Quickley struggled to secure a consistent starting role and put up relatively modest regular-season numbers — 9.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, with shooting splits of 49.8% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range (TS% of 57.3%).

Yet when the playoffs began, Quickley’s game transformed dramatically. Over 17 postseason games, he averaged 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on a blazing 56.0% shooting overall and an exceptional 48.3% mark from downtown — lifting his TS% to an impressive 65.4%. Particularly during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, despite Indiana being swept 4-0, Quickley averaged a scorching 21.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game, making him one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lopsided series.

Boston Celtics fans surely haven’t forgotten how relentless Quickley was last spring — a young guard showing no signs of playoff jitters, only fearless confidence and clutch performance.

Why Does Quickley Excel in the Playoffs?

Many young guards tend to struggle under the postseason spotlight, their regular-season flashes dimmed by the increased intensity, tougher defenses, and pressure-cooker moments. Quickley, on the other hand, appears wired differently. His combination of fearless shooting, relentless attack mentality, and improved defense allows him to shine brightest when the stakes are highest.

Last season’s postseason could have been a fluke, an anomaly fueled by hot shooting, but this year’s repeat performance proves otherwise. Quickley has developed the mental toughness and physical resilience required to thrive against the league’s elite defenses and star players.

His improved shooting splits suggest he has worked diligently on his shot selection and mechanics, while his defensive metrics indicate a growing willingness to engage and contest at a high level. Quickley’s chemistry with teammates like Haliburton has also been crucial, enabling him to flourish in pick-and-roll situations and transition offense.

What This Means for the Knicks

With Quickley’s current form and postseason pedigree, the Knicks face a huge challenge. Their roster, while talented, has shown cracks under pressure, and tonight’s loss highlighted their struggles to contain dynamic, multi-dimensional guards like Quickley.

If Indiana continues riding this wave of playoff confidence, and Quickley keeps delivering performances like Game 1, New York’s hopes of reaching the Finals look bleak. Quickley’s rise is a testament to how critical a clutch, two-way guard is in today’s NBA playoffs — someone who can take over games offensively and anchor the defense in crunch time.

Final Take: A Playoff Star Is Born

Immanuel Quickley’s 2025 postseason is more than just a breakout campaign — it’s a declaration that he’s built for the big moments. His transformation from a regular-season role player into a playoff star capable of leading comebacks and making game-saving plays cements his status as one of the NBA’s most exciting young guards.

As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Quickley to see if he can continue to carry the Pacers deep into the postseason, rewriting the narrative of a player who once struggled for minutes to one who now shines brightest when it matters most. For fans craving thrilling basketball drama, Quickley is the star they didn’t know they needed — and the Knicks have just been reminded how dangerous he can be.