Takeaways: Knicks blow out Pacers in Game 5 to stay alive in Eastern Conference Finals
NEW YORK – The vibe inside Madison Square Garden in the hours before Game 5 Thursday night felt far different than it did the previous two games here in this series.
The Knicks needed a win to stave off elimination and keep their season alive. The atmosphere was one of nervous anticipation, not quite as raucous or energetic as usual.
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Then the game began and the Knicks got things back to normal.
They jumped on the Pacers from the start and never relented on the way to a 111-94 victory to extend the Eastern Conference Finals to a sixth game, which will take place Saturday night back in Indianapolis.
The Knicks built a lead that swelled to as many as 22 points – while no lead has been safe in this series, they managed to hold onto a double-digit advantage.
Chants of "Knicks in 7" chants rained down on the court in the final minutes.
The Knicks are one step closer to making that potential a reality.
Here are three takeaways:
Knicks' defense much better in Game 5
It was quite a difference from their less-than-stellar showing in Game 4, when they surrendered 43 points just in the first quarter alone.
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The Knicks on Thursday night were much tighter defensively, switching from the early going and communicating more effectively.
They forced the Pacers into some bad looks – Indiana shot 33.3 percent from the field (40.5 percent from three, though).
When the Knicks defend at a high level, they're a tough team to beat. And if they're going to pull off the comeback in this series, this is how they need to defend.
Beating the Pacers in a high-scoring game is far too difficult.
Jalen Brunson's Mr. Clutch for a reason
May 29, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) and forward Jarace Walker (5) in the second quarter during game five of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Knicks needed a big performance from Brunson and he delivered.
To say the least.
Brunson rose to the occasion, finishing with 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting (4-of-7 from three-point range) with five rebounds and five assists.
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The star guard made the Knicks' first three baskets of the game and had 13 points in the first half, which ended with the Knicks leading by four.
Brunson hasn't always been at his best in this series, but he certainly was in Game 5.
Tough game for Tyrese Haliburton
The Pacers star guard was dominant in Game 4, finishing with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 15 assists.
Game 5 was a different story.
Haliburton had just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting (0-of-2 from deep) with two rebounds and six assists.
Haliburton never got into any kind of rhythm and the Pacers suffered because of it.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Knicks beat Pacers in Game 5 behind Jalen Brunson gem
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