Knicks Duo Joins Kobe, Shaq With Record Setting Performance Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated May 30, 2025 12:09 AM ET

The New York Knicks extended their Eastern Conference Playoffs series against the Indiana Pacers with a 111-94 win at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Thursday, giving coach Tom Thibodeau's team a chance to even things up at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday.

The game included stellar performances from Knicks stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Jalen Brunson as they combined for 56 points in the Big Apple.

Brunson and Towns' performances put the Knicks duo in the NBA record books alongside Lakers legends Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, a testament to their considerable talents.

Brunson and Towns scored 20-plus points during each of the Knicks' first five games of their conference series, making them the only duo to accomplish the feat since O'Neal and Bryant during the Western Conference Finals in 2002 against the Sacramento Kings.

Fellow Lakers duo Elgin Baylor and Jerry West also scored 20-plus points in five straight games against the St. Louis Hawks during the 1966 Western Division Finals.

Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart added 12 points apiece to help lead the Knicks in their win, sending the series back to Indianapolis for what will be another must-win game for coach Thibodeau's team.

The Knicks held star Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton to just eight points on Thursday. Benndict Mathurin scored 23 points to pace the Pacers while Pascal Siakim added 15 points and Obi Toppin added 11 points.

Haliburton smiled while walking off the court, a sign that he remains confident in the Pacers' chances heading into Game 6 Saturday night.

Towns complimented the Knicks' support players after the game alongside the NBA on TNT crew, a sign of the team's cohesiveness heading into Saturday night's contest.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: