Travis Best is down but – he hopes – not out of the Pacers’ Eastern Conference finals against the Knicks.

Best, who suffered a pulled right groin muscle in Game 3 Saturday, sat out the crucial fourth game last night as he continued recuperating. But, given some encouraging signs yesterday and his history of quick healing, Indiana’s reserve point guard hoped to return to the series.

“Definitely, I’m looking to get back,” said Best, whose absence put a hefty dent in the Indiana bench, which had been outplayed by Knick reserves in the first three games. “I feel a lot better than I did [Sunday], so that’s a good sign.”

Best’s reserve point job was assumed by Jalen Rose.