The New York Knicks lived to see another day on Thursday in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers, winning Game 5 by a score of 111-94. Tom Thibodeau's squad was led by franchise star Jalen Brunson, who erupted for 32 points in the must-win contest.

Following the victory, analyst Jason McIntyre appeared on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd and heavily praised Brunson for how he played:

Brunson posted a stat line of 32 points, five assists, and five rebounds. He shot 12 for 18 from the field and 4 for 7 from three-point land. The Knicks guard came out of the gates on fire, scoring 14 of his points in the first quarter alone.

The Villanova product also played his part in slowing down Tyrese Haliburton, who had a historic Game 4. The Knicks held the Pacers' playmaker to just eight points in one of his worst performances in the playoffs. Indiana also committed 20 turnovers.

Article Continues Below
More New York Knicks News
Charlotte Hornets head coach James Borrego tries to calm down his team from the sideline during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center.
Knicks granted permission to interview ex-Hornets head coachBenedetto Vitale ·
Jamir Watkins Florida State next to New York Knicks logo. Madison Square Garden in the background, blue stripe at the bottom
Sources: Another Knicks 2025 NBA Draft target emergesKris Pursiainen ·
Arkansas Razorbacks Adou Thiero, William Wesley Knicks, Jonathan Pierre Belmont Bruins with Madison Square Garden in the background and a blue stripe underneath
Sources: 2 Knicks draft targets to keep an eye onKris Pursiainen ·
Leon Rose Knicks, Mark Tatum NBA, NBA Draft logo with orange background
Knicks rumors: Insider says he’d ‘bet’ on New York making NBA Draft-night dealKris Pursiainen ·
Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori looks on in the second half against the Dallas Mavericks during game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.
Knicks interview Timberwolves coach, but it’s not Chris FinchRexwell Villas ·
Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks on during the time out during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Barclays Center.
Former Nets star Kevin Durant responds to Knicks jeer by saying he’s ‘Net for life’Erik Slater ·

“I'm just happy with the way we responded, honestly,” Brunson said, via ESPN. “We came out and had some energy to the way we played. I'm very proud of what we did, and we have to try to replicate it in the first quarter of the next game.”

Setting the tone early in games has been an issue in this series for the Knicks. Brunson helped his squad do that on Thursday, and it will be important that they do the same in Game 6 on Saturday in Indianapolis.  Josh Hart also praised Brunson for locking it down defensively:

“We don't need him to be a lockdown defender or anything like that,” Hart said. “We just need him to go out there and play physical, with intensity, and not foul. It's really just a competitive thing, an ego thing of like, ‘OK, I'm going to guard my yard.' It's having pride. I think he did that [tonight]. And we need him to do it in Indiana.”

If Brunson brings his best again on the weekend, the Knicks will have a real chance at forcing a Game 7 back at MSG.