The New York Knicks are still alive after Game 5.
New York defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-94 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night behind 32 points, five rebounds, and five assists from Jalen Brunson.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points and 13 rebounds despite foul trouble.
The Knicks’ defense displayed grit and stifled the Pacers, holding Tyrese Haliburton to eight points on 2-of-7 shooting. Pascal Siakam also struggled compared to previous games in the series. Siakam scored 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, including 1-of-3 from three, and 4-of-8 from the line. He contributed six rebounds and five assists but was less impactful than he’s been lately.
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Siakam still seemed perturbed following the game, particular with his team’s overall effort level in Game 5. This was evident in the way that Siakam got into somewhat of a tense, back-and-forth exchange with a reporter during the postgame press conference.
With the reporter clearly trying to get a specific answer out of Siakam with pointed questions, Siakam got real and checked the media member.
“It’s okay,” Siakam said.
“We played hard, they played harder. What’s your point, I don’t get it? You good bro? You’re looking for something I know, but damn.”
Siakam, a former NBA champion with the Toronto Raptors, will have an opportunity to bounce back in Game 6 and silence his critics.
Meanwhile, the Knicks face a nearly impossible task to win on the road and bring the series back to MSG for an historic Game 7.
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