ECF heads back to Indiana for Game 6!
The New York Knicks made a staggering comeback and defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-94 to push the Eastern Conference Finals tally 2-3. On Thursday, May 29, the Pacers traveled to Madison Square Garden with an aim to wrap the series in Game 5, after having secured a 3-1 lead with a notable win in the previous game. However, the Knicks forced Game 6 on the back of Jalen Brunson’s 32 points. Brunson grabbed 13 rebounds, and dished out three assists for the Knicks.
Karl-Anthony Towns, who was listed questionable for the game with his knee injury, dropped 24 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges poured in 12 points each. On the other hand, the game saw a low-scoring effort from the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton, who entered his name in history books in their last meeting, could manage to score 8 points, 2 rebounds, and six assists. Benedict Mathurin came up with 23 points and 9 rebounds while Pascal Siakam managed to score 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
The Knicks, who were standing on the brink of elimination, had Jalen Brunson, coming out firing with his shooting prowess. Brunson dropped six points as his side got an early ten-point lead. He finished the quarter with 14 points, with two 3-pointers, while Karl-Anthony Towns managed to play on both the ends for the Pacers. He finished the quarter with five points and three rebounds.
The hosts maintained their dominance in the second quarter, and had a 14-2 run midway through to it. Apart from maintaining its offensive intensity, the Knicks put up a notable defensive show. On the other hand, the Pacers were visibly struggling, as their first five combined just 22 points in the first half. Haliburton scored just four points in the half while Aaron Nesmith remained scoreless. New York headed into the halftime with a 56-45 lead over their visiting counterparts.
Brunson, who remained scoreless in the second quarter, got back to scoring and contributed 10 of New York’s first 12 points. Towns was out for the last six minutes as he picked his fourth foul. While the Pacers tried to cut the lead, Brunson scored six points within one minute to extend the gap, and the Knicks entered the final period with a 90-73 lead. The Knicks further extended the gap in the final quarter, and took down Indiana 111-94, to push Game 6 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
They will visit Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 6 on Saturday, May 31.
Washington Wizards 
Charlotte Hornets 
Philadelphia 76ers 
Brooklyn Nets 
Toronto Raptors 
Miami Heat 
Chicago Bulls 
Atlanta Hawks 
Orlando Magic 
Detroit Pistons 
Milwaukee Bucks 
Indiana Pacers 
New York Knicks 
Boston Celtics 
Cleveland Cavaliers 
Utah Jazz 
New Orleans Pelicans 
San Antonio Spurs 
Portland Trail Blazers 
Phoenix Suns 
Dallas Mavericks 
Sacramento Kings 
Memphis Grizzlies 
Golden State Warriors 
Minnesota Timberwolves 
LA Clippers 
Denver Nuggets 
Los Angeles Lakers 
Houston Rockets 
Oklahoma City Thunder 
NBA 
