Former Indiana Pacers guard Bruce Brown has signed a training camp deal with the New York Knicks, adding a new layer to the teams' growing rivalry. The move comes as the Pacers look to rebound from a tough stretch, including a 121-133 loss to the Detroit Pistons on April 12, 2026, that contributed to a 1-4 record in their last five games.
Brown's time in Indiana was brief but notable. He arrived in the 2023 offseason on a two-year, $45 million contract, only to be traded to the Toronto Raptors after just 33 games as part of the Pascal Siakam deal. During his half-season with the Pacers, Brown started every game, averaging 12.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per contest. His shooting splits were 47.5% from the field and 32.7% from three-point range.
The Pacers and Knicks have developed a significant Eastern Conference feud in recent years. Indiana eliminated New York from the playoffs in two consecutive seasons before the 2025-26 campaign. Last season, with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined by an Achilles injury, the Pacers struggled while the Knicks surged to an NBA championship. The rivalry is expected to reignite with Haliburton's return to full health.
Adding a former Pacer like Brown gives the Knicks a player intimately familiar with Indiana's system and personnel. Brown built his reputation as a tough, defensive-minded guard during his eight-year NBA career. He's appeared in 539 games with 272 starts, holding career averages of 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals. His career field goal percentage is 47.6%, with a 34.4% mark from deep.
Brown provides New York with experienced backcourt depth and defensive versatility. His best offensive season came with Indiana, where he posted career-high scoring numbers. After leaving the Pacers, Brown had stops in Toronto, New Orleans, and Denver. He played all 82 games for the Nuggets last season, averaging 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steal per game.
The training camp deal means Brown must earn his spot on the final roster. If he does, he'll be a useful rotational piece for a Knicks team defending its title. For the Pacers, facing Brown in a Knicks uniform will add personal stakes to an already competitive matchup. Indiana's recent form shows they need every edge they can get, having lost their last two games by significant margins.
The Pacers' immediate focus is correcting their recent slide. Their last five results show a concerning pattern: a 121-133 loss to Detroit, a 94-105 defeat by Philadelphia, a 123-94 win over Brooklyn, a 104-124 loss to Minnesota, and a 117-108 loss to Cleveland. This 1-4 stretch highlights the inconsistency the team must address.
Getting Haliburton back to his All-Star level is the top priority for Indiana's success. The team's performance without him last season demonstrated his immense value.
Bruce Brown's journey from a hoped-for Pacers building block to a potential Knicks role player shows the NBA's transactional nature. His signing in New York ensures that when these rivals meet this season, there will be an extra narrative thread woven into their battles. For Pacers fans, it's another reason to circle those Knicks games on the calendar.
