INDIANAPOLIS — This is why you don’t name streets after players for getting to the conference finals. This is why you don’t celebrate before the job is finished.

Because after an elimination like Saturday night’s 125-108 defeat, the Knicks’ players, their coach, their staff — they almost all left the arena in disappointment, many despondent. They understand what happened in this series wasn’t nearly good enough, that changes could be on the horizon.

After all, the more talented team lost this series. I’m talking about the team with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The two All-NBA selections. But the better team won. I’m talking about the more cohesive and balanced unit from Indy.

“That’s what’s disappointing the most,” Josh Hart said, “knowing there’s a good chance this team might not be back in totality.”