Jalen Brunson’s 32-point performance powered the New York Knicks to a 111-94 win over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, avoiding elimination in the Eastern Conference finals.
Brunson ignited Madison Square Garden early with 14 points in the first quarter as New York clamped down defensively, holding Indiana to just 45 first-half points after surrendering 43 in the opening quarter of Game 4.
Karl-Anthony Towns, battling a bruised left knee, contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds while OG Anunoby and Josh Hart added energy on both ends.
The Pacers, who had won six straight on the road entering Game 5, shot just 40.5% from the field and failed to match their previous offensive rhythm.
Tyrese Haliburton, who had posted a 32-point triple-double in Game 4, was held to just eight points and six assists in 31 minutes.
New York built a 20-point lead midway through the third quarter, fueled by Brunson’s eight straight points and a key four-point play during a 12-0 run.
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 23 points off the bench, but the Pacers struggled to generate consistent offense and committed 20 turnovers.
The Knicks outscored Indiana 42-34 in the paint and posted a 45-40 rebounding advantage, with Towns and Mitchell Robinson combining for 19 boards.
New York also controlled the tempo, dishing out 22 assists while limiting Indiana’s transition chances with improved shot selection and floor balance.
The victory extended the Knicks’ first trip to the conference finals since 2000 and preserved their hopes of becoming just the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
No team has ever rallied to win a conference finals series after dropping the first two games at home, but New York’s Game 5 effort gave the crowd reason to believe.
Indiana will host Game 6 on Saturday night with another chance to clinch its first NBA Finals berth since 2000.
Brunson’s 21st career postseason game with 30 or more points set a franchise record for the Knicks and reaffirmed his status as the series’ most crucial offensive force.
Despite missing several key rotation players due to injuries earlier in the playoffs, New York leaned heavily on its remaining core and responded with its most complete performance of the series.
Game 6 tips off in Indianapolis on Saturday.
