The New York Knicks kept their playoff hopes alive with a commanding 111-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. Leading the charge was Jalen Brunson, who not only pushed the Knicks to fight another day but also etched his name into an elite group alongside Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Shai Gilgeous–Alexander.

Brunson led the Knicks with a standout Game 5 performance, netting 32 points, along with five rebounds and five assists. This incredible feat makes the 28-year-old point guard just the fourth player in NBA history to record 30-plus points and 5-plus assists in ten playoff games in a single postseason. This achievement follows the footsteps of Michael Jordan (1989, 1990, 1992), LeBron James (2015, 2017, 2018), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025).

Throughout the playoffs, Brunson has been on fire, averaging 30.1 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds across 17 games. He has managed to notch 30 or more points and at least five rebounds in all but seven postseason games.

The exceptions occurred once against the Pistons (Game 5), five times against the Celtics (Games 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6), and once against the Pacers (Game 3).

Brunson and Towns rewrite history together

Karl–Anthony Towns has also been integral in spearheading the Knicks‘ offense alongside Brunson. The former Timberwolves standout was pivotal in the Game 5 win, recording 24 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists, alongside Brunson, achieving an epic milestone unseen since 2002.

Together, Brunson and Towns have become the first pair of teammates to each score 20+ points in the first five games of a conference finals since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal did so for the Lakers in 2002.

That year, Bryant and O’Neal played crucial roles in Phil Jackson’s Lakers team, clinching their third consecutive championship with a Finals sweep of the New Jersey Nets.

Brunson and Towns in the Eastern Conference Finals

Towns, who was listed as questionable for Game 5, ultimately proved to be vital for the Knicks. Head coach Tom Thibodeau couldn’t afford to risk what might have been his team’s last playoff game without one of his top players.

Together they prove to be the driving force in the Knicks’ offense. Here are the point statistics for Brunson and Towns throughout the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers:
  • Game 1: Brunson 43 points, Towns 35 points
  • Game 2: Brunson 36 points, Towns 20 points
  • Game 3: Brunson 23 points, Towns 24 points
  • Game 4: Brunson 31 points, Towns 24 points
  • Game 5: Brunson 32 points, Towns 24 points