In a critical Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, the New York Knicks relied heavily on Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson to keep their season alive. Despite Towns being a game-time decision due to knee issues, he contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds, while Brunson bounced back from a quiet second half in Game 4 to score 32 points along with five rebounds and five assists. Their performances helped fuel a 111-94 victory against the Indiana Pacers.

Historic Scoring Milestone Achieved by Towns and Brunson

With their consistent production, Towns and Brunson joined a rare group by both scoring 20 or more points in each of the first five games of a conference finals series. This achievement was last matched by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal during the 2002 NBA playoffs when the Lakers faced the Kings. The Knicks’ duo has now etched their names alongside these legendary teammates.

Series Overview and Individual Achievements

The series so far has been tightly contested, with New York trailing 3-2 despite crucial wins in Games 3 and 5. Scores across the five games include close losses and decisive victories, demonstrating the competitive nature of the conference finals. Brunson also recorded his 10th game with at least 30 points and five assists in this postseason, joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan as the only players to reach that mark in a single playoff run.

Looking Ahead: Can the Knicks Follow in Lakers’ Footsteps?

The 2002 Lakers, who faced similar challenges, overcame a 3-2 deficit in the conference finals and proceeded to sweep the Nets in the NBA Finals. The Knicks aim to emulate that resilience and sustained success, hoping their historic performances by Towns and Brunson will ignite a similar turnaround as the series moves forward toward the decisive games.