When fans woke up this morning asking, “Did the Knicks win last night?” the answer brought a surge of excitement to New York. On May 29, 2025, the New York Knicks delivered a commanding 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. This wire-to-wire win snapped the Pacers’ four-game streak in playoff-clinching scenarios and extended the Knicks’ season, forcing a pivotal Game 6 in Indiana. With Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns leading the charge, New York showcased resilience, proving they’re far from out of this series.
Did the Knicks Win Last Night? A Dominant Performance
The Knicks’ Game 5 performance answered the question, “Did the Knicks win last night?” with a resounding yes. Jalen Brunson set the tone early, scoring the team’s first six points and finishing with 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, complemented by five rebounds and five assists. Karl-Anthony Towns, battling through foul trouble and a sore knee, added 24 points and 13 rebounds, dominating the paint. The Knicks’ defense, a weak point earlier in the series, held Indiana to a postseason-low 98.9 offensive rating. New York capitalized on 20 Pacers turnovers, turning them into fast-break opportunities and a 17-point margin that felt like a statement.
Key Players Steal the Show
Brunson and Towns became only the third duo in NBA history to score 20-plus points in each of the first five games of a conference finals, joining legends like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Their chemistry shone brightly, with Brunson’s playmaking and Towns’ versatility exposing Indiana’s defensive gaps. Mitchell Robinson also stepped up, rebounding from a shaky Game 4 to anchor a locked-in defensive effort. On the Pacers’ side, Tyrese Haliburton struggled, managing just eight points on 2-of-7 shooting, while Bennedict Mathurin led with 23 points off the bench. The Knicks’ supporting cast, including OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, outplayed Indiana’s usually deep bench, flipping the script on a team that had dominated them in prior games.
A Series Far From Over
Down 3-2, the Knicks face a tough road ahead, but Game 5 showed they’ve found a pulse. The question, “Did the Knicks win last night?” now fuels hope for a historic comeback. No team has ever won a conference finals after losing the first two games at home, but New York’s resilience—seen in their three 20-point comeback wins this postseason—suggests they could defy the odds. Indiana, despite their 3-2 lead, looked rattled, with their starters combining for just 37 points in Game 5. The Pacers’ vaunted offense, which thrives on speed and shotmaking, was stifled, scoring under 100 points for the first time this postseason. Game 6 on May 31 in Indianapolis will test whether the Knicks can carry this momentum on the road.
What Made Game 5 Different?
New York’s urgency was palpable in Game 5. Facing elimination, they played with a grit that echoed their upset over the Boston Celtics earlier in the playoffs. Coach Tom Thibodeau’s adjustments, including leaning on deep reserves like Landry Shamet and Delon Wright, paid off. The Knicks outrebounded Indiana 45-37 and limited their transition game, a stark contrast to the Pacers’ 130-121 Game 4 rout. Fans at Madison Square Garden, joined by those at a SummerStage watch party, erupted as the Knicks went on an 11-2 run to start the second half, with Brunson and Towns leading the charge. This win wasn’t just about survival—it was a blueprint for how New York can exploit Indiana’s weaknesses.
Can the Knicks Pull Off the Impossible?
The Knicks’ Game 5 victory has shifted the narrative. While Indiana still holds a 3-2 edge, New York’s defensive intensity and star power have put the Pacers on notice. Towns, despite injury concerns, has been a matchup nightmare for Indiana, averaging 25.8 points and 11.4 rebounds in the series. Brunson’s ability to dictate the tempo, even when targeted defensively, gives the Knicks a fighting chance. Game 6 will hinge on whether New York can replicate their defensive effort and contain Indiana’s high-octane offense at home, where the Pacers are 6-1 in the playoffs. The Knicks’ history of rallying from deficits keeps the dream of an NBA Finals berth since 1999 alive.
Knicks fans, share your thoughts on Game 5 and predictions for Game 6 in the comments below! Stay locked in for updates as New York fights to keep their season alive.