Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks

Following a strong showing in Game 4, the Indiana Pacers suffered a 111-94 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in Game 5. This victory kept the Knicks' dreams alive of becoming only the 14th team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series, a feat that would mark them as the first to do so in a Conference Finals.

The Pacers now head back to Indianapolis, where they boast a 5-2 playoff record, aiming to clinch the series and advance to the NBA Finals. Rick Carlisle’s team faces intense pressure, and their response in this critical moment is yet to be seen.

The Pacers were expected to dominate with a Finals berth within reach and the Knicks on the ropes. Instead, they delivered one of their worst playoff performances, turning the ball over 20 times and shooting a dismal 33.3% from three.

None of the starting lineup found their groove, with Bennedict Mathurin standing out as the lone bright spot, dropping 22 points. The team showed better cohesion when Pascal Siakam was on the court, trailing by just one point during his minutes, but his 5-for-13 shooting was underwhelming.

Tyrese Haliburton, fresh off a historic 30-point, 15-assist, 10-rebound, zero-turnover game, struggled mightily, managing only 8 points. A third-quarter strategy of intentionally fouling Mitchell Robinson briefly cut the Knicks' lead from 20 to 10, but New York responded with a decisive run to secure the win.

The Knicks, meanwhile, can take pride in their Game 5 dominance, despite a lackluster 27.6% from three-point range. They held the Pacers below 100 points, forced 20 turnovers, and neutralized Indiana’s key players.

Jalen Brunson led the charge, erupting for 14 points in the first quarter alone, finishing with 32 points in 34 minutes while locking down Haliburton defensively. Karl-Anthony Towns, battling through an injury from Game 4, also contributed significantly.

New York’s defense was a game-changer. After surrendering 43 points in the first quarter of Game 4, they limited the Pacers to 45 points in the entire first half of Game 5, holding them to a playoff-low 40.5% field goal percentage.

Now, the Knicks face a daunting task in Indiana against a raucous crowd. However, their strong road record—including three wins over the Detroit Pistons, two over the Boston Celtics, and a Game 3 victory in Indianapolis—gives them confidence. Karl-Anthony Towns’ health will be pivotal, as his presence elevates the Knicks’ offense to another level.