Knicks resolve Pacers’ press in Video game 5 win
The Indiana Pacers had the Knicks cornered– overwhelmed, battered and desperate.
In a scene similar to The Strolling Dead, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers played Negan, while Jalen Brunson and the Knicks were cast as Glenn– a grim parallel with a known outcome.
The roles fit completely, but Thursday’s Video game 5 at The Garden unfolded like Knicks fan fiction, defying the expected script. Rather, Indiana took the barbed-wire bat to the head, falling 111-94 on the road as the Knicks secured their 2nd win in 5 games of the Eastern Conference Finals.
In 2000, the Pacers reached the NBA Finals by defeating the Knicks at The Garden in Video game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Twenty-five years later, history did not duplicate itself. To prevent an important Game 7 on Monday in Manhattan, the Pacers need to rebound from among their worst playoff losses and close out the series on Saturday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Indiana has recovered from every playoff loss this season, however have the Knicks lastly discovered a winning formula?
Haliburton, who controlled the Knicks throughout the series, was limited to 8 points on 2-for-7 shooting with two rebounds and six assists. Despite playing just 28 minutes in the blowout, the Pacers’ All-Star faced suppressing group defense, as Indiana shot just 40.5% (30-for-74) from the field as a team.
Brunson lastly outperformed his equivalent, completing 32 points, 5 rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes. The Knicks had fun with increased urgency, advancing the ball much faster to counter Indiana’s relentless full-court press. After dedicating 17 turnovers in Video game 4, the Knicks enhanced to 15 giveaways in Video game 5, however fewer of them were of the live-ball range– which allowed them to better set up their half-court defense.
Despite a bad shooting night, the Pacers produced quality appearances, especially when targeting inequalities versus Karl-Anthony Towns in the post. However, Towns stood his ground, and Indiana stopped working to capitalize.
The Pacers played tense, while the Knicks played with desperation– a distinction that proved definitive in Video game 6. Knicks fans roared back to life, discovering their voice after Mitchell Robinson’s putback with 8:49 staying in the third quarter.
The very first “Let’s Go Knicks” chant erupted soon after, stimulating the whole arena. And Indiana will continue to hear it wherever they go up until they can effectively close the series out.
Originally Released: May 29, 2025 at 10:54 PM EDT