Brunson, Towns Fuel Knicks’ Game 5 Win 111-94 vs Pacers/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Jalen Brunson scored 32 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 13 rebounds as the New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-94 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The win cuts Indiana’s series lead to 3-2. With momentum back in their favor, the Knicks head to Game 6 with hopes of forcing a decisive Game 7.
Knicks vs Pacers Game 5: Quick Looks
- Jalen Brunson drops 32 points, bouncing back from Game 4 struggles.
- Karl-Anthony Towns posts 24 points, 13 rebounds despite a knee injury.
- Knicks win 111-94 at Madison Square Garden in must-win Game 5.
- Pacers lead series 3-2, with Game 6 set for Saturday in Indiana.
- New York holds Tyrese Haliburton to 8 points, 6 assists.
- Bennedict Mathurin leads Indiana with 23 points off the bench.
- Knicks dominate first half defensively, holding Pacers to just 45 points.
- Brunson’s 21st career 30-point playoff game sets franchise record.
- Fans chant “Knicks in 7!” as series shifts back to Indiana.
Deep Look: Knicks Stay Alive with Game 5 Rout of Pacers at MSG
NEW YORK — Backed by a roaring Madison Square Garden crowd and an urgent sense of survival, the New York Knicks stormed past the Indiana Pacers 111-94 Thursday night, cutting Indiana’s Eastern Conference Finals lead to 3-2 and proving that this series is far from over.
Leading the charge were Jalen Brunson, who torched the Pacers for 32 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who fought through a bruised knee to tally 24 points and 13 rebounds in a gritty performance. The Knicks won their first home game of the series, and in doing so, sent a message that they won’t go quietly.
“It’s a testament to our team answering the call,” said Towns, who was questionable to play after a Game 4 injury.
A Different Knicks Team Shows Up
Two nights after surrendering 43 first-quarter points in a blowout loss, the Knicks flipped the narrative. They held the Pacers to just 45 first-half points, locking down a team that had previously dominated them in New York.
The difference was visible from the start. Brunson set the tone, scoring 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting in the opening quarter as the Knicks surged to a 27-23 lead. Towns took over in the second with 12 points, giving Brunson a breather as New York’s defense stifled Indiana’s rhythm.
“Our backs were against the wall,” said Brunson. “So, we had to give it everything we got.”
Pacers Falter in Off-Night Performance
For a team that had won six straight road games, the Pacers looked uncharacteristically flat. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana’s star point guard, was limited to eight points and six assists after a triple-double in Game 4. The offense sputtered, shooting just 40.5% from the field, their lowest of the postseason.
“We didn’t play with the force we needed to,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “They had a lot to do with it. We’re going to have to play better.”
Indiana’s bench provided a spark behind Bennedict Mathurin’s 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to match New York’s firepower and intensity.
Brunson’s Third-Quarter Explosion Seals the Win
After a scoreless second quarter, Brunson came out aggressive in the third. He scored the Knicks’ first eight points and helped stretch the lead to 20. When the Pacers threatened to rally, Brunson hit a four-point play during a game-breaking 12-0 run that put the game out of reach at 86-64.
It was Brunson’s 21st career playoff game with 30+ points, a Knicks franchise record that underscores his postseason excellence.
History Within Reach
The Knicks are trying to become just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series. No team has ever come back from dropping the first two games at home in a conference finals — but with Game 6 on Saturday and a potential Game 7 back in New York, the possibility is alive.
“We haven’t done anything yet,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. “We’ve got to take it one game at a time.”
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