Knicks Rally in Thrilling Game 5 Clash: Can They Complete the Ultimate East Finals Comeback?

What a night for the Knicks and their fans—down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference finals, staring down elimination, New York showed grit and grace to nail a 111-94 victory over the Pacers on Thursday. Jalen Brunson turned the lights on with 32 points, shaking off the funk from the previous game, while Karl-Anthony Towns, battling a bruised knee, dominated the boards and dropped 24 points, proving why he’s indispensable. This win not only keeps the Knicks’ hopes burning bright but also forces the series back to Indiana for a high-stakes Game 6 on Saturday. It’s a steep climb—only thirteen teams in NBA history have pulled off the 3-1 comeback, and the Knicks could make East finals history if they keep this up after losing their first two at home. Indiana, by contrast, hit a rare offensive slump, unable to replicate their road dominance, with Tyrese Haliburton stifled and Bennedict Mathurin’s bench sparks not enough to close the gap. The tension is palpable—the winner Saturday sets the stage for a winner-take-all Game 7 back in Madison Square Garden. The drama isn’t just unfolding, it’s hitting a fever pitch. <a href="https://media.zenfs.com/en/theguardian765/3a71a682de74cfb3d690f17a9f3c78d5″>LEARN MORE

The brilliant Brunson bounced back from a quiet Game 4 to deliver his 20th career playoff game with 30 or more points, extending a franchise record he set last week. Towns, listed as questionable entering the game with a bruised knee, scored 12 points in the second quarter to help the Knicks build a 13-point half-time lead. New York then opened the third with an 8-0 run and pulled away with a 12-0 burst late in the period, capped by a Brunson four-point play.The New York Knicks avoided elimination on Thursday night, beating the Indiana Pacers 111-94 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals behind 32 points from Jalen Brunson and 24 points and 13 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns. The win keeps the Knicks’ season alive and forces a Game 6 in Indianapolis on Saturday.Indiana, who had won six straight on the road, struggled offensively and finished with their lowest-scoring game of the postseason. Tyrese Haliburton, who had a triple-double in Game 4, was limited to eight points and six assists. Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 23 off the bench.

AdvertisementNew York, down 3-1 in the best-of-seven-games series, won at home for the first time in the conference finals and denied Indiana a chance to clinch their second ever NBA finals appearance. The Knicks are trying to become just the 14th team in league history to overturn a 3-1 series deficit and the first to do it in the East finals after losing the first two games at home.Game 6 is Saturday night in Indiana. A Knicks win would send the series back to Madison Square Garden for a decisive Game 7 on Monday.Advertisement