Knicks Stay Alive, Force Game 6 Against Pacers

The New York Knicks avoided elimination with a 111-94 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, reducing Indiana's lead to 3-2. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 32 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 13 rebounds despite earlier injury concerns. The Knicks seized control early, building a double-digit lead and maintaining defensive pressure. Tyrese Haliburton, who starred in Game 4, was limited to eight points, while Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 23. The series now returns to Indiana for Game 6, where the Pacers will have another chance to clinch their first NBA Finals berth since 2000. Defensive lapses remain a concern for the Knicks, but their Game 5 performance demonstrated renewed resilience.