Pistons manage to snatch victory in close Game 5 against Knicks at Madison Square Garden
Sizzlin' Showdown Turns Soured: Knicks' Clutch Duo Exits Game 5, Pistons Grab Series Lifeline
The final image of Tuesday night's spectacle at the Garden painted a disheartening picture – Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, the Knicks' seasoned playoff aces, huddled at the scorer's table, awaiting an audible that never arrived as a stunned crowd watched in disbelief.
Their sudden departure, along with another subpar home performance, spelled doom for the Knicks. They missed the opportunity to wrap up this seven-game series at home, prolonging the battle against the resilient Pistons instead.
Brunson and Hart were both struck by minor injuries midway through the fourth quarter, leaving them sidelined with 2:57 on the clock, as the Knicks trailed by two points. During a frantic minute of action, they were cleared to re-enter the fray, but head coach Tom Thibodeau opted not to burn his final timeout.
"Coach's decision," he plainly stated. Later, he added, "A lot goes into it."
As the game clock wound down, the Pistons capitalized on the absence of their star adversaries, extending their lead to a safe six points before Thibodeau finally called a timeout with 27.4 seconds remaining. The Knicks stumbled through three futile possessions in the absence of their go-to closer Brunson, with Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns missing contested jumpers.
"It felt different without Jalen out there," Bridges admitted. "He's a guy we rely on heavily to create for himself and others. But it's no excuse; we've still got to step up and get stoppers."
History has a tendency to repeat itself for the Knicks, and Tuesday night was no exception. Just like the previous postseason, the Knicks failed to clinch the opening round at home. The last time they managed to close out a playoff series at the Garden dates back to the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals.
Although Hart and Brunson confirmed they were physically fit, Sport+ subscribers can expect an exclusive insight into their assessment of their condition and readiness for the upcoming game against the Celtics[1]. Regarding their shooting struggles, Brunson and Towns combined for a measly 9-of-33 from the field.
The Knicks also struggled to corral Cade Cunningham, who put up 24 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, and Ausar Thompson, who scored a career-high 22 points, mainly on layups and dunks. OG Anunoby led the scoring for the Knicks with 19 points, while Bridges and Towns each tallied 17.
Neither team has established a commanding lead during the series, with the Pistons earning a remarkable 3-point win in their home court in the previous game. Meanwhile, the Knicks had a tough time getting off to a good start in the third period, allowing the Pistons to build a 10-point edge.
Despite the slow start, the Knicks staged a late rally with nine unanswered points, keyed by Mitchell Robinson's activity on the glass and rim protection, and a Bridges transtion 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter put them in the lead for the first time in the second half.
It didn't last, as the Pistons held on to leave New York with renewed hope for a Game 7[2].
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart Injury Updates: The nature and severity of the injuries sustained by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart have not been publicly disclosed at the time of this report. Keep an eye on news sources and postgame press conference updates for the latest information [3].
[1] Sign up for the Inside the Knicks newsletter
[2] Latest NBA Standings and Knicks Stats
[3] Official NBA Data
- In the wake of the Knicks' loss in Game 5, fans and analysts are closely monitoring the status of injured stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, who were forced to exit the game due to minor injuries suffered in the fourth quarter.
- Coach Tom Thibodeau's decision to keep Brunson and Hart sidelined late in the game has sparked debate among sports enthusiasts, with many questioning whether the coach's decision played a role in the Knicks' inability to secure the win.
- While Brunson and Hart have sought to downplay the significance of their injuries, Sport+ subscribers are eagerly anticipating exclusive updates on the condition of the duo leading up to the Knicks' upcoming game against the Celtics.
- With the Knicks' postseason hopes hanging by a thread, the basketball world eagerly awaits the updates on the status of their star duo, as the team fights to put the mistakes of the past behind them and move forward in the NBA playoffs.
