The New York Knicks saw their NBA season come to a close in disappointing fashion, falling 125–108 to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Indiana’s dominance sealed the series 4–2, exposing New York’s lack of production from key role players. Despite the team’s struggles, Jalen Brunson remained the lone bright spot, continuing his postseason excellence and overtaking Luka Doncic on an all-time list.
Brunson, who scored 19 points but committed five turnovers in the loss, capped off a stellar playoff run by climbing further up the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring list. The Knicks’ floor general surpassed both Luka Doncic and Hall of Famer Dave Cowens to move into 98th place in postseason scoring history.
Pascal Siakam, who played a crucial role for Indiana, also moved up to 122nd, overtaking notable names such as Shawn Kemp, Michael Finley, and Shawn Marion — capping a memorable night for both players, albeit with very different emotions.
While Brunson’s individual accomplishments are impressive, they come with a bitter taste. Entering the top 100 in playoff scoring is meaningful, but for Brunson, it’s clear that personal accolades pale in comparison to his pursuit of a championship.
The Knicks’ season, despite its ending, had bright spots. They notched 50 wins for the second consecutive year and returned to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years — a significant step forward for the franchise. Most notably, they eliminated the defending champion Boston Celtics in the second round, a feat that signaled legitimate progress.
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As expected, Brunson led the charge, averaging 29.4 points and 7 assists over 18 playoff games. His NBA postseason included several iconic moments, including a series-clinching three-pointer in Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons. He continues to cement his status as one of the franchise’s all-time greats and will likely climb even higher in the scoring ranks.
Looking ahead, if the Knicks are to take the next step, keeping their All-NBA duo intact is a priority. However, roster adjustments are needed. Perimeter defense and bench depth were exposed against Indiana. Mikal Bridges, though effective in stretches, struggled to navigate screens while guarding Tyrese Haliburton and must evolve into the third-best defender in the starting lineup rather than its primary point-of-attack stopper.
If New York can improve its depth, solidify its defensive schemes, and continue to build chemistry, the foundation is there for a deeper postseason run next year — one where Jalen Brunson’s heroics might finally be rewarded with something more than individual milestones.
