NEW YORK — The New York Knicks managed to keep their playoff hopes alive with a decisive 111-94 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. This victory marked their first home win of the series, and now they head back to Indianapolis for Game 6 on Saturday, aiming to force a winner-take-all Game 7. If successful, they would become just the 14th team in NBA history to rally from a 3-1 series deficit.
From the opening tip, the Knicks played with intensity and purpose. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, both standout performers this season, set a tough defensive tone that stifled Indiana’s offense. The Pacers struggled to score, managing under 100 points for the first time in the series, and their impressive six-game road playoff winning streak came to an end.
Let’s break down the winners and losers from this pivotal Game 5 clash:
Jalen Brunson
Brunson, the reigning Clutch Player of the Year, once again proved why he earned that title. He poured in 16 points during the crucial third quarter, including a momentum-shifting four-point play that helped the Knicks extend their lead to as much as 22 points. His final line: 32 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four three-pointers. Brunson’s ability to attack the basket with a mix of savvy moves was central to New York’s offensive success.
Karl-Anthony Towns
Despite battling a bruised left knee, Towns was relentless inside. He finished with 24 points — 17 coming in the first half — and hauled in 13 rebounds. The Knicks dominated the paint, outscoring Indiana 60-34 in that area. Towns stepped up especially in the second quarter when Brunson was held scoreless, putting up 12 points to push the Knicks further ahead. Supporting scorers like Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart each added 12 points, while OG Anunoby chipped in 11, showcasing a balanced attack.
Knicks’ Defensive Prowess
After giving up 43 points to Indiana in the first quarter of Game 4, the Knicks tightened their grip. This time, they limited the Pacers to just 45 points in the first half. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc — Indiana shooting 33.3% and New York just 27.6% — but the Knicks compensated with their dominance inside and relentless defensive pressure, preventing the Pacers from establishing their usual fast-paced rhythm.
Pacers Starters’ Struggles
Pascal Siakam was the lone bright spot among the Indiana starters, posting 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The rest of the starting lineup — Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, and Tyrese Haliburton — combined for only 37 points on 40.5% shooting. Haliburton, who exploded for 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds in Game 4, was held to just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting over 32 minutes as he was closely guarded by Mikal Bridges. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau praised the team’s defensive effort to make Haliburton work for every possession, highlighting the grind necessary to win in the playoffs.
Haliburton was directly involved in only 24% of Indiana’s points in Game 5, a significant drop from the 41% he contributed in the first four games.
Bench Bright Spot
On the positive side for Indiana, reserve Bennedict Mathurin continued his strong play, leading the team with 23 points in 25 minutes after a 20-point outburst in limited time during Game 4.
Turnover Battle Reversal
Game 4 saw the Knicks plagued by turnovers, coughing up the ball 17 times and allowing the Pacers to convert those mistakes into 20 points and 22 fast-break points. The turnover war flipped in Game 5, with Indiana turning it over 19 times, giving New York 20 points off those mistakes. Both coaches, Thibodeau and Indiana’s Rick Carlisle, emphasized the critical need to protect the ball, making turnovers a key factor in the series.
Carlisle summed up the Pacers’ struggles, saying, We lost the rebound battle, we lost the turnover battle, we didn’t shoot well. They had a lot to do with it, so give them credit, and we’re going to have to play much better.
As the series shifts back to Indiana, the Knicks have seized momentum and are now one win away from forcing an epic Game 7 showdown.
