Knicks Force Game 6 with Game 5 Victory Over Pacers

NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks avoided elimination by defeating the Indiana Pacers 111-94 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. The victory means the series will continue with Game 6 scheduled for Saturday in Indianapolis.

The Knicks, down 3-1 in the series, got off to a strong start, led by All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson. He scored the first three baskets of the game and finished the first quarter with 14 points, leading to a game-high total of 32 points. Brunson’s early offensive burst was a cornerstone in the Knicks’ wire-to-wire win.

While Brunson shined on offense, his effort on defense was crucial as well. He admitted that he needed to improve defensively, especially after being targeted by the Pacers in previous games. Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton struggled significantly in Game 5, managing only eight points and failing to find his rhythm.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau commended the team’s collective effort in stopping Haliburton. “I thought our guys were tied together in making [Haliburton] work for everything,” Thibodeau said.

Despite struggling with foul trouble, Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 13 rebounds, demonstrating resilience even after suffering a left-knee injury towards the end of Game 4. His performance, alongside Brunson’s, was key to New York’s victory.

On the other hand, the Pacers committed 20 turnovers, which was their highest total of the postseason. This played a significant role in their offensive struggles, leading to a lackluster performance where they scored just 94 points, the first time they have been held under 100 in the playoffs this year.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the challenges of closeout games, emphasizing the difficulty his team faces heading into Game 6. The Pacers, who have only lost two consecutive games once since March, are determined to clinch a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000.

As the series shifts back to Indiana, Brunson expressed confidence heading into the next game. “I’m just happy with the way we responded. We came out and had some energy,” he said. The upcoming game promises to be a critical contest for both teams as they continue to vie for a place in the finals.