Jalen Brunson Stuns NBA Fans With Career-High Playoff Performance—What’s Next for the Knicks Star?

NEW YORK — Jalen Brunson delivered yet another postseason masterpiece on Thursday night, pouring in 32 points on an ultra-efficient 12-for-18 shooting to keep the New York Knicks alive with a 111-94 Game 5 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals. Powered by Brunson’s sixth straight game of 30-plus, the Knicks trimmed Indiana’s series lead to 3-2 and forced a pivotal Game 6 in Indianapolis on Saturday. The All-Star guard has now recorded ten 30-point outings this postseason, a feat unmatched in franchise history and one that places him alongside some of the NBA’s most prolific playoff scorers. Dominating Both Ends • Efficient scoring: Brunson mixed pull-up jumpers, bully-ball drives and timely triples, accounting for 19 first-half points that set the tone for New York’s wire-to-wire win. • Playmaking poise: Despite heavy traps, he committed just two turnovers while dishing five assists, repeatedly finding Karl-Anthony Towns (24 pts, 13 reb) in mismatch situations. • Fourth-quarter closer: When Indiana chopped a 20-point deficit to 12, Brunson ripped off a four-point play and a driving layup to ice the contest. Historic Company Thursday marked Brunson’s 10th postseason game with at least 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, tying Michael Jordan and LeBron James for the most such performances in a single playoff run since the NBA began tracking play-by-play data in 1997. He’s also the first Knick ever to notch 600 points across one postseason. Knicks’ Keys to Game 6 1. Early Pace & Space New York’s 14-2 surge midway through the second quarter stemmed from quick outlet passes and high-tempo secondary breaks. Replicating that rhythm on the road will be essential to quieting Gainbridge Fieldhouse. 2. Guarding the Arc Indiana shot just 10-for-30 from three and coughed up 19 turnovers in Game 5. Expect Tom Thibodeau to deploy Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby in extended pressure to disrupt Tyrese Haliburton after the All-NBA guard was limited to eight points. 3. Health Watch Towns played through left-knee soreness, and Josh Hart nursed a bruised rib. Both practiced Friday, but their availability at full throttle could swing New York’s small-ball vs. double-big rotations. What a Win Means for the Knicks A Game 6 triumph would send the series back to Madison Square Garden for a decisive Game 7, where New York owns a 39-14 all-time playoff record. Brunson’s home splits (33.8 ppg) dwarf his road numbers (28.2 ppg), making Saturday a critical test of the Knicks’ resolve. Pacers’ Counterpunch Rick Carlisle hinted at lineup tweaks, potentially elevating rookie Jarace Walker for added switchability after Pascal Siakam struggled to contain the Brunson–Towns pick-and-roll. Indiana’s bench edge—23 points from Bennedict Mathurin—remains its trump card, but Haliburton’s aggressiveness will dictate whether the Pacers can finish the job on their home floor. SEO Snapshot Primary Keyword: “Jalen Brunson” Secondary Keywords: “Knicks vs Pacers Game 6,” “Eastern Conference Finals,” “Jalen Brunson playoff stats,” “New York Knicks comeback,” “NBA Playoffs 2025.” Long-Tail Phrases: “How many 30-point games does Jalen Brunson have in the 2025 playoffs,” “Knicks Game 6 start time,” “Jalen Brunson scoring record Knicks postseason.” Bottom Line With momentum tilting toward Manhattan’s marquee floor general, Saturday’s matchup promises high drama. If Brunson’s historic run continues, the Knicks could complete a 3-1 comeback and book their first NBA Finals berth since 1999; if Indiana steadies, the Pacers will punch their first ticket since 2000. Either way, all eyes are on Jalen Brunson—the hottest hand in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.