Pacers vs Knicks: 10 Best Moments from Last Night
The Pacers vs Knicks Game 5 was a thrilling showdown, where New York took full control and secured a 111-94 win to keep their playoff hopes alive. With a final, if you missed the game, don’t worry — here are 10 key things you might not have seen but are worth knowing.
1. Jalen Brunson Stepped Up Big Time
Jalen Brunson showed why he’s one of the most reliable players in the league. He scored 32 points and led the Knicks with confidence all night. Every time the team needed a basket or a boost, Brunson delivered.
2. The Knicks Never Lost the Lead
From the first minute of the game to the very end, the Knicks were ahead. They didn’t give the Pacers a chance to catch up. It was one of those games where New York maintained control the entire time.
3. Brunson and Towns Made NBA History
According to NBA on TNT, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns became the first pair of teammates to each score over 20 points in the first five games of a Conference Finals since legends Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. That’s a major milestone.
4. Jalen Brunson Proved the Doubters Wrong
Some people have said Brunson isn’t big enough, fast enough, or strong enough to be a top NBA player. But in Game 5, he showed exactly what he is — a smart, skilled scorer who knows how to control the game. He used his quick moves and clever plays to shake off defenders and score 32 points, leading the Knicks to victory.
5. He Took Over the Game When It Mattered Most
Brunson may not be the flashiest player, but he knows how to get the job done. In Game 5, he looked calm and confident, making the right plays at the right time. He didn’t just score — he controlled the flow of the game and made it clear he was the best player on the court that night.
6. The Pacers Struggled to Find Their Shot
Indiana had a tough night shooting the ball. As a team, they made just over 40% of their shots and only 33% from three-point range. Key players like Aaron Nesmith and Tyrese Haliburton couldn’t get into a rhythm, with Nesmith shooting just 1 for 8 and Haliburton missing all his three-point attempts. Their cold shooting made it hard for the Pacers to keep up with the Knicks’ energy and pace.
7. Bennedict Mathurin Was the Lone Bright Spot for Indiana
Coming off the bench, Bennedict Mathurin gave the Pacers a much-needed boost. He scored 23 points, hit 60% of his shots, and was perfect from the free-throw line with 9 out of 9. While the rest of the team struggled, Mathurin showed fight and confidence, proving he can be a key player under pressure.
8. Knicks dominated the paint and rebounding battle
New York crushed Indiana inside, scoring 60 points in the paint while holding the Pacers to just 34. They also won the offensive rebounding battle 11 to 8, creating more second-chance opportunities that helped build and maintain their big lead.
9. Haliburton’s quiet game exposed the Pacers’ dependence
Tyrese Haliburton scored just 8 points on seven shot attempts, and the Pacers struggled to find rhythm without his usual playmaking. Indiana has now lost both playoff games when Haliburton scores fewer than 10 points, showing how vital he is to their success.
10. Knicks’ defense shut down Indiana’s offense
New York held the Pacers to only 94 points, their lowest-scoring game of the entire postseason. The Knicks’ defense was sharp, holding the Pacers to under 100 points for the first time in the playoffs and forcing 20 turnovers, setting the tone from start to finish. 
