Knicks Stay Alive in Game 5 Against Pacers
Australian player Johnny Furphy made a brief appearance on Friday as the New York Knicks continued their pursuit of the NBA championship with a 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5.
Indiana, having already won the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, entered Madison Square Garden needing just one more win to secure a place in the finals against Oklahoma City. However, the Knicks, propelled by standout performances from Jalen Brunson (32 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (24 points, 13 rebounds), had other plans, while Tyrese Haliburton (eight points) struggled significantly.
Although the Pacers made a late effort to rally, they were never truly in a position to secure victory, opting instead to empty their bench, allowing Furphy his first game time of the series.
Following the game, Pacers star Pascal Siakam had a contentious exchange with reporter Gregg Doyel, who noted that the Knicks played harder. Siakam appeared perplexed by Doyel’s reasoning, considering the stakes for both teams. “They played harder than us. It’s okay,” Siakam responded, emphasizing that sometimes teams simply outplay each other in a game.
The Knicks opened strong, demonstrating a sense of urgency befitting a team fighting to survive their season. They quickly established a 23-13 lead, with Brunson contributing eight of the first nine points and showcasing a blend of mid-range shooting and efficient playmaking.
As the game progressed, Towns took over in the second quarter, aggressively attacking the rim despite previous injury concerns. With the Knicks leading 40-32 at one point, they capitalized on moments when Haliburton was off the floor. Though Brunson had briefly rested, Towns’ dominance kept the Knicks ahead, leading to a 56-45 advantage by halftime.
In the third quarter, Brunson’s quick scoring effectively extinguished any hopes the Pacers had of making a comeback. Meanwhile, Mitchell Robinson’s defensive contributions, including a standout block on Haliburton, ensured the Knicks maintained a comfortable lead. Despite the Pacers narrowing the gap early in the fourth, New York reasserted control with crucial plays from their starters, leading them to a solid victory, pushing the series back to Indiana where the Pacers will aim to clinch a finals spot on Sunday.
