NBA: New York Knicks Keep Playoff Hopes Alive With Indiana Pacers Rout

Last Updated:May 30, 2025, 10:02 IST

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns starred as New York Knicks beat Indiana Pacers 111-94 but trail 1-3 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals.

NBA: New York Knicks defeated Indiana Pacers (AP)

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 56 points as the New York Knicks kept their NBA playoff hopes alive with a 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.

Trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semi-finals, the Knicks revived their campaign in front of a star-studded Madison Square Garden crowd with a wire-to-wire win, setting up game six in Indianapolis on Saturday.

Knicks standout Brunson led the charge with 32 points, including four three-pointers. Towns, whose participation was uncertain until shortly before tip-off due to a left knee injury in game four, played a crucial role with 24 points and 13 rebounds.

“We were able to get stops early and convert. We just found a way," Brunson told TNT. “I felt like we played better, to our standards. Give them credit, but we played Knicks basketball tonight."

Towns echoed the determination, saying, “It was do or die. Nothing was going to stop me from playing this game."

Brunson set the tone early, scoring 14 points as the Knicks raced to a 23-13 lead in the first quarter. Although Indiana closed the gap to 27-23 by the end of the first, the Knicks continued to dominate, troubling Indiana with their fast-break offence and neutralising Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.

New York led 56-45 at half-time, with Haliburton managing just four points. Haliburton finished with a series-low eight points, shooting two-of-seven from the field.

The Pacers had staged a remarkable comeback in game one, overturning a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun the Knicks. There was a hint of another comeback when Indiana cut a 20-point New York lead to 10 points in the third quarter.

However, the Knicks regrouped and extended their lead again, ultimately securing the win to keep the series alive.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle attributed his team’s struggle – being held under 100 points for the first time in the series – to their slow start. “We didn’t play with the necessary force," Carlisle said. “We lost the rebound and turnover battles and didn’t shoot well. They had a lot to do with that, so give them credit. We need to play much better. We started without the right attitude, never led in the game, and faced many issues. There were moments we gained traction, but it wasn’t enough."

(With inputs from AFP)

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News sports NBA: New York Knicks Keep Playoff Hopes Alive With Indiana Pacers Rout