Pacers Look to Bounce Back at Home
The Indiana Pacers will have another opportunity to secure a spot in the NBA Finals on Saturday night, this time on their home court. Their journey toward the championship was put on pause on Thursday night when the New York Knicks claimed a decisive 111-94 victory in Game 5 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden, extending the series to a sixth game.
The Pacers struggled offensively, failing to score over 100 points for the first time in the playoffs. Indiana's shooting was below par at 40.5 percent, and the team committed a staggering 20 turnovers. The starting lineup managed only 37 points collectively, with Pascal Siakam being the sole player to score in double figures.
Stars falter, Intent to Recover
All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who previously recorded a remarkable triple-double in Game 4, contributed just eight points and six assists while attempting a mere seven shots in Game 5. Addressing his performance, Haliburton acknowledged the Knicks' defensive adjustments that prevented him from finding rhythm, affirming, "I’ve got to be better setting the tone, getting downhill. I feel like I didn’t do a great job of that...I’ll watch the film. They did some different stuff defensively…I’ve got to be better and I’ll be better in Game 6."
The Pacers have shown resilience throughout the season, not experiencing back-to-back losses since early March. Siakam expressed confidence in his teammates post-game, stating, "I have no doubt in my teammates. I have so much faith in them. We’re up 3-2 in the series, and we have an opportunity to go back home and show what we’re made of." If the Pacers can regroup and perform effectively on Saturday, they would advance to the NBA Finals for only the second time in franchise history, where they would face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Knicks Regain Momentum
Conversely, the Knicks demonstrated their tenacity by rallying for a crucial win. Jalen Brunson, leading the charge, scored 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting, showcasing his offensive prowess along with six assists. His performance was complemented by Karl-Anthony Towns, who amassed a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds. This vital win not only narrowed the series gap to 3-2 but further illuminated the resiliency and competitive spirit of the Knicks.
New York established an early lead and maintained control throughout the game, stretching the margin to as much as 22 points in the third quarter. The team's defense stifled the Pacers, limiting them to their lowest shooting percentage of the playoffs and demonstrating significant improvement in their defensive execution. Coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the need for collective effort in limiting star player Haliburton, whose performance was subdued significantly compared to previous outings.
Looking Ahead to Game 6
As Game 6 approaches, the Pacers are planning to leverage the energy and support of their home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Knicks, now with renewed confidence, must rise to the occasion again to force a decisive Game 7 in Madison Square Garden. Fans can anticipate an intense battle as both teams aim to secure their place in the Finals.
The game will be broadcast on TNT, with tip-off scheduled for Saturday, May 31st, at 8:00 PM ET. The outcome remains critical, with the Knicks' resilience set against the Pacers' determination to capitalize on home-court advantage.
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