In a thrilling Game 5 matchup, Jalen Brunson led the charge for the New York Knicks with an impressive 32-point performance, helping his team secure a crucial 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Despite Karl-Anthony Towns battling through a bruised knee, he contributed with a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds. The Knicks managed to stave off elimination and force a Game 6, much to the delight of their passionate fans who fervently chanted "Knicks in 7! Knicks in 7!" as the final buzzer sounded.
After a slow start in the series, the Knicks tightened up their defense and held the Pacers to just 45 points in the first half, effectively neutralizing star player Tyrese Haliburton. Brunson bounced back from a tough previous game to deliver a standout performance, setting a franchise record for postseason games with 30 or more points. Despite a valiant effort from the Pacers, led by Bennedict Mathurin's 23-point contribution off the bench, the team struggled to find their rhythm and shot a mere 40.5% from the field in their lowest-scoring game of the postseason. With the series now headed back to Indiana, the Knicks have injected new life into their playoff campaign and set the stage for a dramatic Game 6 showdown.