The Knicks grab onto the last bits of hope as they seal a 111-94 Game 5 win over the Pacers to force Game 6 in their Eastern Conference Finals series. Down 3-1 coming into Game 5, the Knicks were nearly down and out of the Playoffs. Jalen Brunson, the star player on the Knicks, stepped up with Karl-Anthony Towns to provide an emphatic performance to help the Knicks force Game 6.
He finished the game with 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. This game marks the 10th time this season where Brunson scored 30+ points and had 5+ assists. The only other players to do so were Michael Jordan (in 1989, 1990, and 1992), LeBron James (2015, 2017, and 2018), and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2025).
Just yesterday, after the Thunder closed out their series against the Timberwolves to reach the NBA Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander also notched his name alongside the greats on this list. He finished Thunder’s Game 5 with 34 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds.
Brunson did not have 30+ points and 5+ assists only seven times in these Playoffs. Missed 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).
Jalen Brunson Or Tyrese Haliburton: Who Deserves East Finals MVP?
Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton were arguably the biggest matchup of this Knicks-Pacers series that everyone wanted to see. Brunson has averaged 33.0 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds in five games played so far against the Pacers in the 2025 playoffs. On the other hand, Haliburton has averaged 21.0 points, 10.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds in five games played so far.
Of course, winning the series will be a crucial factor in deciding which player is up for contention to win the Finals MVP award. The only player in NBA history to lose a series and still win the MVP award was Jerry West in 1969 when the Celtics won the NBA Finals, but the Lakers’ star was awarded the Finals MVP award.
Considering that the standard was set in the Finals, the Conference Finals will likely not even see that rare exception when a losing player wins the MVP award. While Haliburton will be the clear-cut favorite to win Eastern FMVP if the Pacers take this series, Karl-Anthony Towns could be the secondary option on the Knicks to take that award if the Knicks end up stealing this series. Towns has averaged 25.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in five games played so far this series. His performances were crucial in both the wins for the Knicks.
Therefore, while Haliburton is the favorite to win the award, considering the history behind a comeback from a 3-1 deficit shows the Pacers are likely going to win this series. Only 2% (13 of 297 series) teams have ever pulled off a comeback from this position.
However, if the Knicks pull off a comeback victory here, the deciding committee will have a tough choice between Brunson and Towns.
