May 30, 2025 — Facing elimination in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks delivered a commanding 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. This win narrows the Pacers’ series lead to 3-2 and sends the series back to Indianapolis for a pivotal Game 6.
Brunson’s Stellar Performance
Jalen Brunson spearheaded the Knicks’ offense with an impressive 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, adding five rebounds and five assists. His performance marked his 21st playoff game scoring 30 or more points, setting a new franchise record . Brunson’s leadership was evident as he scored 14 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for the game.
“Our backs are against the wall,” Brunson stated postgame. “I wasn’t thinking, ‘I need to play better than him.’ I was just thinking, ‘I need to help my team win.’ That’s my mindset every time I’m on the court”.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
Karl-Anthony Towns, despite nursing a bruised knee, contributed significantly with 24 points and 13 rebounds. His presence in the paint provided the Knicks with a much-needed interior advantage.
Defensively, Mikal Bridges played a crucial role in limiting Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton to just eight points and six assists, a stark contrast to his previous triple-double performance . Josh Hart added a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while OG Anunoby’s defensive efforts helped contain Pascal Siakam.
Game Dynamics
The Knicks dominated early, leading 38-22 after the first quarter and maintaining control throughout the game. Their aggressive defense forced 19 turnovers and limited the Pacers to 45 points in the first half . New York also excelled in the paint, outscoring Indiana 60-34.
Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin led his team with 23 points off the bench, but the Pacers struggled with shooting inefficiencies and turnovers. Coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the team’s poor start and multiple issues during the game.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
With the series now at 3-2, the Knicks aim to become only the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit—and the first to do it in the conference finals after losing the first two games at home . Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday in Indianapolis, where the Knicks will attempt to force a decisive Game 7.
The winner of this series will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, set to begin next Thursday.
