Brunson’s Dominant Performance
In a pivotal Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, Jalen Brunson once again took center stage, scoring a remarkable 44 points to lead the Knicks to a convincing 121-91 victory over the Pacers, giving them a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Knicks’ Homecoming
Despite a roster depleted by injuries, the Knicks returned to their home court only to face an early 16-9 deficit against the Pacers. However, led by their star player Brunson, they quickly turned the tide, forcing Pacers’ coach Rick Carlisle to call three timeouts in the first quarter alone. By the end of the quarter, the Knicks led 38-32.
Intensity Erupts in the Second Quarter
Early in the second quarter, tensions flared as Isaiah Hartenstein and Isaiah Jackson got into a skirmish, with Alec Burks joining the fray. Despite being short-handed, the Knicks displayed relentless determination, utilizing a fast-paced offense that left the Pacers scrambling. Their offensive rebounding also created numerous second-chance scoring opportunities. By halftime, the Knicks extended their lead to 69-54, with Brunson contributing 28 points in the first half, supported by Josh Hart and Miles McBride with 12 points each. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 13 points.
Pacers’ Resilient Response
Refusing to back down, the Pacers rallied behind center Myles Turner’s hot shooting from beyond the arc, narrowing the deficit to single digits. However, they struggled to find additional scoring support, allowing the Knicks to go on a 14-1 run and extend their lead to 20 points. With 4 minutes and 34 seconds remaining in the quarter, Donte DiVincenzo’s emphatic dunk sparked another altercation, resulting in technical fouls for both him and Turner.
Brunson’s Brilliance Shines Through
Entering the fourth quarter with a commanding 21-point lead, the Knicks continued to thwart any Pacers comeback attempts, with Brunson extinguishing any flicker of hope. Playing for 43 minutes, Brunson finished with 44 points and 7 assists, marking his fifth 40-point game this year, the first player to do so since LeBron James in 2018.
Statistical Standouts
Despite only scoring 7 points, Knicks center Hartenstein grabbed 17 rebounds, including 12 offensive rebounds, tying a franchise postseason record set by Charles Oakley in 1994. Hart contributed 18 points and 11 rebounds, while McBride added 17 points and DiVincenzo chipped in with 8 points and 7 rebounds off the bench. For the Pacers, Siakam led with 22 points, followed by Turner with 16 points, Tyrese Haliburton with 13 points and 5 assists, and Andrew Nembhard with 11 points. (Free100)