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The Knicks’ time is now.

They have an opportunity to close out the Pacers in Game 6 in Indianapolis.

The Knicks routed the Pacers in Game 5 121-91 thanks, in part, to Jalen Brunson’s 44 points.

Tyrese Haliburton was held to 13 points, highlighting New York’s strength on defense.

Now, the Knicks can close out the Pacers to advance to the Eastern Conference Final.

Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks in the NBA playoffs

Follow The Post’s live updates for the latest 2024 NBA playoffs news, highlights and reaction.

Stephen A Smith implores Knicks to ‘get it done’ in Game 7

By Andrew Battifarano

The Knicks have one more chance to get to the Eastern Conference Finals.

And Stephen A. Smith doesn’t want them to miss their shot.

The ESPN talking head and avid fan was not happy that the Knicks couldn’t close out the Pacers in Game 6 on Friday and called out their effort, including star Jalen Brunson.

Stephen A. Smith us trying to fire up the Knicks.
Stephen A. Smith us trying to fire up the Knicks.

On top of that, with the Knicks having not reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 24 years, Smith said it’s time for the team to “get it done.”

“I’m not happy, the New York Knicks didn’t come ready to play,” Smith said on the postgame show that aired on part of “SportsCenter.

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Ex-Knicks stars distraught while watching ugly Game 6 loss

By Jared Schwartz

Knicks legends couldn't hide their emotions as they watched their former side scuffle.

A plethora of iconic ex-Knicks players -- John Starks, Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Marcus Camby and Stephon Marbury -- were in attendance at Madison Square Garden for a watch party during the Knicks' 116-103 Game 6 loss to the Pacers Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Former Knicks reacted to Pacers-Knicks Game 6 👀 pic.twitter.com/hmDo09iSW2

— ESPN (@espn) May 18, 2024

The ESPN broadcast showed them enthusiastically cheering during a neck-and-neck first half, but that soon changed as the Knicks unraveled in the second half and failed to close out the series.

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Brunson expects Hart to play in Game 7

By Zach Braziller

Jalen Brunson believes Josh Hart will play in Sunday's Game 7 despite the abdominal injury he suffered Friday night. Isaiah Hartenstein had a similar take that Hart would do anything possible to be out there.

Hart seemed to be in pain outside of the locker room. But Jalen Brunson just now:

“I assume he’s going to play. It’s Game 7.” https://t.co/N4kvDqBrzl

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) May 18, 2024

Anunoby still 'day-to-day,' Thibodeau says

By Zach Braziller

Tom Thibodeau said OG Anunoby's availability for Sunday's Game 7 depends on what team doctors say. For now, he's still day-to-day with a left hamstring strain. Earlier in the day, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said Anunoby wouldn't be ready for a potential Game 7.

Tom Thibodeau was asked about OG Anunoby's chances of playing in Game 7:

"Whatever medical says."

And what is medical saying? "Day-to-day." pic.twitter.com/xgbkUA7ig6

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 18, 2024

Thibodeau doesn't offer much clarity on Hart

By Zach Braziller

Tom Thibodeau was unsure of the status of Josh Hart moving forward. He told reporters he didn't know the extend of the injury, which the Knicks listed as abdominal soreness. Hart suffered the injury in the first quarter, and tired to play through it, but didn't make his usual impact.

Tom Thibodeau on Josh Hart "we'll see"

He says he doesn't know what the injury is pic.twitter.com/K8WFY9K0Do

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 18, 2024

Get ready for Game 7

By Zach Braziller

The Knicks and Pacers will decide this best-of-series on Sunday with Game 7 at the Garden. Indiana forced the do-or-die showdown with a 116-103 rout, making it all six games in which the home team has won. The last three have all been blowouts. 

In the first quarter of the loss, Josh Hart appeared to hurt an abdominal muscle. He continued to play, but was mostly ineffective and logged just 31 minutes. Pacers forwards Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner were dominant, combining for 42 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Brunson rebounded from a shaky start to finish with 31 points and Miles McBride added 20. 

The Pacers out-rebounded the Knicks by 12 and outscored them in the paint, 62-38. The last time the Garden hosted a Knicks Game 7 was 1995. The opponent? The Pacers, who prevailed in a nail-biter.

Game 7 looking more likely

By Zach Braziller

Any hopes of a big comeback were all but erased early in the fourth quarter, as the Pacers pushed the lead to 20 with 8:22 left. Josh Hart headed back to the locker room, clearly in a lot of pain. It looks like Game 7 will be needed. It's set for 3:30 p.m. at the Garden on Sunday.

Josh Hart pic.twitter.com/CmUxd3gszr

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 18, 2024

Pacers fans taunt Brunson

By Zach Braziller

Jalen Brunson is hearing chants of, "he's a flopper" from the Pacers crowd at the free-throw line.

Pacers fans chanting loudly at Jalen Brunson: "He's a flopper."

— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) May 18, 2024

Knicks need a big rally

By Zach Braziller

The Knicks are going to need a huge rally to avoid a do-or-die Game 7. The Pacers hold an 88-75 lead entering the final period. Jalen Brunson came alive in the third quarter, scoring 14 points, but the Knicks were still outscored by three in the quarter. They have been out-rebounded by 11 and outscored by 18 in the paint.

The Pacers have played with desperation and the Knicks have not. It's going to take a near-perfect final 12 minutes, similar to what we saw from the Rangers in their Game 6 clincher last night.

Hart still bothered by injury

By Zach Braziller

Halfway through the third quarter, Josh Hart asked to come out. He's still being bothered by the injury to his abdomen. Obviously, the Knicks can't afford to lose him for a potential Game 7. The Pacers are in complete control, up 17.

Rough half for Brunson and Knicks

By Zach Braziller

Jalen Brunson hit his first two shots and missed his next 11. The Knicks trail the Pacers, 61-51, at halftime. Indiana is doubling Brunson a lot, and has been physical with him, but he's also missed a ton of shots he usually makes. Brunson is also just 1-of-4 at the free throw line -- as a team the Knicks are 6-of-12 at the line. Easily his worst half of what has been a terrific postseason.

The Pacers went on a 17-2 run late in the second quarter, before Donte DiVincenzo hit a big 3 in the final seconds. The Knicks have gotten shredded by forwards Pasal Siakam and Myles Turner, who have combined for 26 points and nine rebounds. Pacers have outscored the Knicks, 40-16, in the paint.

Josh Hart returns

By Zach Braziller

Josh Hart didn't start the second quarter, and went to the locker room. But he returned early in the period, and the Knicks say he's fine. Meanwhile, the Knicks tead by two and Jalen Brunson is just 2-of-9 from the field. Miles McBride had been terrific, leading the way with 13 points.

"He's a tough guy. He'll get through it"

–– Thibs to Cassidy Hubbarth on Josh Hart in pain pic.twitter.com/OveHmpd3VF

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) May 18, 2024

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