The New York Knicks successfully prolonged their playoff run with a crucial 111-94 victory against Indiana. The win helped New York close the gap to 2-3 in the Eastern Conference Finals series.
Most conversations focused on how the Knicks silenced Tyrese Haliburton. The Pacers’ point guard managed just eight points on 28.6% shooting while missing all his three-point attempts.
However, NBA analyst Bill Simmons believes the Knicks’ victory stemmed from a different strategy. He thinks New York’s key was relentlessly attacking Pacers center Myles Turner throughout the game.
“Turner, 24 minutes five points, four turnovers, and a couple of awkward offensive moments where he’s like trying to dribble against Mitchell Robinson and there’s one time he just kind of fell out of bounds,” Simmons said on his podcast.
“I thought the biggest thing the Knicks did, other than pressure Haliburton and just make it more difficult for him on defense, was they felt like they were attacking Myles Turner. Like ‘Oh, you’re going to have the ball, I’m coming at you’,” he added.
The contrast was stark compared to Turner’s previous performances. Before Game 5, Turner consistently scored double-digits against New York and frequently dominated the paint.
In Game 5, the Knicks applied constant pressure, forcing Indiana into disadvantageous late-clock situations. Turner’s struggles became a catalyst for the Pacers’ offensive breakdown.
Simmons sarcastically suggested this performance could impact Turner’s NBA future. “The Myles Turner free agency tape is going to have to be carefully edited,” he quipped.
Turner enters unrestricted free agency this summer with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors reportedly interested. During the regular season, Turner averaged solid numbers: 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 39.6% from three-point range.
His Game 5 meltdown serves as a reminder that playoff pressure can expose weaknesses even in established players seeking new contracts.
