The Knicks aren’t packing for Cancun
IN FRENCH ON SENEWEB: HERE.
The New York Knicks are not done yet.
Backed into a corner and facing elimination for the first time in these playoffs, the Knicks responded like a team with something to prove. In a thunderous Madison Square Garden, they delivered a commanding 111-94 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, cutting the series deficit to 3-2 and keeping their championship hopes alive.
Defense Sets the Tone
From the opening tip, New York came out with purpose and ferocity. The Knicks scored on their first five possessions and never trailed, setting the tone for a game defined by defensive intensity and physical dominance.
Indiana’s All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who torched the Knicks in Game 4, was almost completely neutralized. He managed only 8 points on 7 shot attempts and struggled to impact the flow of the game, smothered by a swarming Knicks defense.
“It started with Mikal (Bridges) picking him up full court,” said Miles “Deuce” McBride after the game. “The plan was to make every possession difficult. Mitch (Robinson) and KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) were aggressive on every screen. It was all-out physical basketball.”
The result: 20 turnovers for the Pacers and their lowest scoring output of the playoffs.
Brunson’s Playoff Masterclass Continues
Once again, Jalen Brunson took center stage. The Knicks’ star guard poured in 32 points and 5 assists, including 16 points in a third quarter surge that buried Indiana’s hopes of a comeback. It marked his 10th game of these playoffs with at least 30 points and 5 assists, a rarity in NBA history.
Towns Powers Through Pain
Karl-Anthony Towns, who was questionable before the game due to knee soreness, answered the call in a big way. He finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, bringing physicality and poise in key stretches. Alongside Brunson, Towns became part of history: They’re the first duo since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2002 to each score 20+ points in the first five games of a conference finals.
A Comeback Brewing?
Only 13 teams out of 298 have come back from a 3-1 deficit in NBA history. The odds are long, but the Knicks don’t seem to care. Their defense is clicking, Brunson is playing like a superstar and the belief is growing.
Next Stop: Game 6
Game 6 will be Saturday night in Indiana (8 PM ET / 00:00 GMT), with everything on the line for both teams. Can the Knicks force a Game 7 back at the Garden? One thing’s for sure: They’re not booking any flights to Cancun just yet.
