Tyrese Haliburton had a tough night on the court as the New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-94 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday. Haliburton struggled to find his rhythm, finishing the game with just eight points on 2-for-7 shooting. He entered halftime without a field goal and only managed to score four points from free throws before finally making his first shot with 9:40 left in the third quarter.
This performance was a stark contrast to Game 4, where Haliburton had a standout game, recording a triple-double. The Knicks’ defensive strategy against him was much more effective this time around. Mikal Bridges, who guarded Haliburton for most of the game, applied pressure right from the start, making it hard for Haliburton to get comfortable and set up plays for the Pacers.
Bridges’ approach included picking up Haliburton further up the court, similar to how the Pacers had pressured Knicks guard Jalen Brunson in earlier games. This change disrupted Haliburton’s usual flow, forcing him out of his comfort zone. Teammate Josh Hart praised Bridges for his effort, noting how physically demanding it was to keep up with Haliburton’s constant movement.
The Knicks’ defense was relentless throughout the game. Delon Wright and Landry Shamet also played crucial roles, applying pressure on Pacers ball handlers and contributing to the overall defensive effort. The crowd at Madison Square Garden responded enthusiastically, especially when Shamet forced a turnover in the fourth quarter.
The Pacers’ overall performance was disappointing, with their starters shooting just 31.6 percent from the field. Pascal Siakam, who had been a key player for the Pacers, managed only 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting. Aaron Nesmith struggled even more, finishing with just three points on 1-for-8 shooting.
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson bounced back from a poor performance in Game 4, showcasing his defensive skills with two blocks and a steal. Even Karl-Anthony Towns, dealing with a knee issue, stepped up his defensive game. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the importance of teamwork in facing a strong offensive opponent like the Pacers.
As the Knicks aim to extend their playoff run, this game provided a solid blueprint for their defensive strategy moving forward. With the series still in play, the Knicks will look to maintain this level of intensity in the upcoming games.