New York Giants rookie Abdul Carter is refusing to count out the New York Knicks, even as they face a daunting 0-2 hole in the Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft took to social media following the Knicks’ Game 2 loss, posting a message of hope for New York fans.
Abdul Carter is Staying True to his New Team’s Roots.
Carter, a Philadelphia native who has quickly adopted the Knicks as his team since arriving in New York, is hoping to inspire a comeback reminiscent of the Knicks’ earlier playoff heroics. Despite dropping the first two games at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks have shown resilience throughout the postseason, including a dramatic comeback win over the Boston Celtics in the semifinals that first caught Carter’s attention.
Just got this feeling it’s not over yet, Knicks gonna bounce back!!!!
— Abdul Carter (@1NCRDB1)
Carter, 21, was widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the country after a standout career with the Nittany Lions. He earned consensus All-America honors in his final season, finishing with 112 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles.
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Philadelphia native impressed scouts with his combination of speed, strength, and football intelligence. Giants general manager Joe Schoen called Carter “a cornerstone for our defense” and said the team expects him to make an immediate impact.
Carter, who attended the draft with his family, said he was “thrilled” to join the Giants and eager to get to work in New York.
The Knicks have only been outscored by eight points across the first two games of the series, and their playoff road record—5-1 so far—offers a glimmer of hope as the series shifts to Indiana. In their last series, New York overcame a history of regular-season struggles against Boston to stun the defending champions, a performance that helped cement Carter’s new allegiance to the city’s basketball team.
Carter is not alone in his support. Several Giants teammates and New York sports legends, including head coach Brian Daboll, Russell Wilson, and Eli Manning, have been seen rallying behind the Knicks during their playoff run. The cross-sport camaraderie highlights the deep connection between New York’s professional teams and their passionate fan base.
If the Knicks win Game 3 on the road after falling behind 0-2, it would represent a major momentum shift in the Eastern Conference finals. Historically, losing the first two games at home puts a team in a precarious position, as the Pacers have now seized home-court advantage and are closer to reaching the NBA Finals.
With the Knicks needing to win at least one game on the road to keep their season alive, Carter’s optimism reflects the city’s never-say-die attitude. As the team prepares for Game 3 in Indiana, Carter’s bold guarantee is just the latest example of the faith that New York’s athletes and fans continue to place in their teams—even when the odds appear stacked against them.