Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks to a crucial Game 5 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, keeping the Knicks’ chances in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals alive. With a commanding 32-point performance, Brunson pushed the Knicks to a 111-94 win that cut the Pacers’ series lead to 3-2.

Brunson’s Determination Fuels Knicks’ Survival

Brunson openly acknowledged the urgency that powered the Knicks in this elimination game. Speaking on ESPN’s SportsCenter, he said,

“Obviously, we knew it was win or be done, win or go home. So, we just gave everything we had and just found a way.”

His mindset reflected the do-or-die nature of the game, and his performance embodied that desperation. Unlike the tightly contested early games decided by narrow margins, the Knicks built an early lead and maintained control throughout.

Dominant Team Effort with Towns Complementing Brunson

Jalen Brunson finished 12-of-18 from the field, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 13 rebounds, creating a formidable duo. The pair became the first teammates since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2002 to each exceed 20 points through five games of a conference finals series. Their strong performances helped New York establish a 20-point lead by the third quarter, a cushion the Pacers could not overcome.

Pacers’ Star Haliburton Struggles Under Knicks’ Pressure

Tyrese Haliburton, who had scored 32 points in Game 4 to nearly eliminate the Knicks, was held to just eight points on 2-for-7 shooting in this game. Brunson commented on the defensive turnaround after the match, saying,

“I just feel like we just played better. We played better, we played to our standards. You’ve got to give them a lot of credit for the way they play, but we played Knicks basketball tonight.”

The Knicks’ improved defense was a key factor in limiting Haliburton’s impact and regaining control of the series.

Coaching Praise and Player Leadership Highlight Knicks’ Win

New York head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Brunson and Towns, noting that they

“set the tone for the game”

in the opening quarter. Meanwhile, Deuce McBride underscored Brunson’s leadership on the floor, acknowledging his example in guiding the team to the critical victory. This leadership will be vital as the Knicks prepare for the next challenge.

Focus Shifts to Game 6 as Series Returns to Indiana

The series now shifts to Indianapolis for Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. Brunson emphasized the importance of keeping concentration on the immediate task ahead, saying,

“We’ve got to be focused, now. We can’t look ahead. We can’t look too far. We’ve just got to be focused on that first quarter, and how we play, and go from there.”

The Knicks will need another strong performance from Brunson if they hope to force a decisive Game 7 and extend their playoff run beyond this weekend.