On Thursday night, the New York Knicks stayed alive in the Eastern Conference Finals by defeating the Indiana Pacers 111-94 in Game 5. Jalen Branson led the charge with 32 points, while Karl Anthony Towns contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds. This win extends the Knicks’ playoff run and sets up a crucial Game 6 in Indianapolis on Saturday.
The Knicks are striving to become only the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit to win the conference finals, having already overcome losing the first two home games. New York currently trails Indiana 3-2 in this best-of-seven series, preventing the Pacers from reaching their second NBA Finals appearance.
Branson bounced back from a quieter Game 4 with an impressive 30-plus point performance, marking his 20th career playoff game scoring over 30 points—a new franchise record. Despite entering the game with a knee injury, Towns scored 12 points in the second quarter, helping the Knicks secure a 13-point halftime lead. New York then surged ahead with an 8-0 run early in the third quarter, capped by a four-point play by Branson, and finished the period with a 12-0 run to pull away.
After winning six straight road games, Indiana struggled offensively in their lowest-scoring postseason game. Tyrese Haliburton, who recorded a triple-double in Game 4, was held to just eight points and six assists. Off the bench, Benedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 23 points.
Game 6 will take place Saturday night in Indiana, with the winner heading back to Madison Square Garden for a decisive Game 7 on Monday.
Fan Take: This comeback effort by the Knicks is thrilling and shows the resilience that makes playoff basketball so captivating. For fans, it highlights how momentum can shift dramatically and sets the stage for an epic Game 7 that could become a classic in NBA history.
