A sold-out Madison Square Garden boomed early as the Knicks seized control, stalling the Pacers’ famous high-octane offense from the opening tip.
It was a recipe for success as the Knicks won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals 111-94.
After building a 10-0 lead, a charge led by Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, the Pacers’ fate felt sealed. Brunson exploded with 14 points in the opening quarter.
New York pushed its lead to 22 points in the third period, dominating the paint and ultimately outscoring Indiana 60-34.
Second-chance points also favored the New York, 13-7.
Related: Pacers get historic Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 win over Knicks
Indiana looked flat as head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the lack of intensity and grit.
“We did not play with the force we needed to,” Carlisle stated. “We never led in th s game. We were not at the level we needed to be to compete.”
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton’s offense was muted, taking only seven shots in the entire game, further demonstrating Carlisle’s earlier concern. Haliburton finished with eight points.
Bennedict Mathurin provided a spark off the bench, adding 23 points. Pascal Siakam added 15.
For New York, Brunson finished with 32 points. Forward Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds.
The Knicks outrebounded the Pacers 45-40, another woe acknowledged by Carlisle.
“We lost the turnover battle, we lost the rebound battle,” Carlis e said. “We are going to have to do better. There were sections in the game where we got a little bit of t action. But never enough.”
The Pacers lead the series 3-2.
Game 6 tips off on May 31 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more NBA Playoffs news from the Indianapolis Recorder, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
