Knicks Avoid Elimination with 111-94 Win over Pacers in Eastern Conference Finals

Facing elimination and trailing 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals, the New York Knicks delivered a commanding 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, keeping their season alive. Jalen Brunson led the charge with 32 points, marking his franchise-record 21st postseason game with 30 or more points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds despite playing with a bruised left knee. The Knicks' defense was pivotal, limiting the Pacers to just 45 points in the first half and holding Tyrese Haliburton, who had a stellar Game 4, to only eight points and six assists. This win marked the Knicks' first home victory in the series and fueled chants of “Knicks in 7!” as fans rallied behind a potential comeback. Indiana struggled offensively, shooting only 40.5% and suffering their lowest scoring game of the postseason, with coach Rick Carlisle acknowledging that the Pacers were outplayed in multiple facets including rebounding and turnovers. New York now aims to become the 14th team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a series, extending their first conference finals run since 2000.