NBA Playoffs: Brunson and Towns Channel Kobe and Shaq, Knicks Star Joins Jordan in Elite Company

New York Knicks kept their Eastern Conference Finals hopes alive with a dominant 111–94 win over the Indiana Pacers, cutting the series deficit to 2-3 and forcing a Game 6. Once again, it was the duo of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns who carried the load — and their postseason brilliance is pushing New York toward its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999.

Brunson was unstoppable yet again in Game 5, dropping 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He’s now averaging 30 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7 assists across 17 playoff games — joining an exclusive list of Eastern Conference guards to average 30+ points in a single postseason series. That group includes only Dwyane Wade, Allen Iverson, and the iconic Michael Jordan. Rare air, indeed.

Karl-Anthony Towns Delivers, Duo Matches Kobe & Shaq's Legendary Feat

Karl-Anthony Towns matched the moment with 24 points (10-of-20 shooting), 13 rebounds, and 3 assists. Alongside Brunson, the pair combined for 56 of the team’s 111 points — a pattern that has defined the Knicks’ playoff run so far.

But the history books were truly shaken when it was confirmed that Brunson and Towns are the first teammate duo to each score 20+ points in the first five games of a Conference Finals series since Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2002. That year, the Los Angeles Lakers edged out the Sacramento Kings in a classic seven-game battle before sweeping the New Jersey Nets to claim the NBA title.