The New York Knicks made a pivotal lineup change ahead of Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers, and it paid off in a big way. Inserting Miles McBride into Precious Achiuwa's spot in the starting five proved to be a game-changer for the Knicks as they outscored the Pacers by a resounding 26 points during McBride's 40 minutes on the court.

The Knicks' decision to bring in McBride provided extra spacing on the floor, allowing star player Jalen Brunson to thrive. Brunson took full advantage, scoring a series-high 44 points in the blowout victory. McBride also played a key role on the defensive end, primarily defending Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was held to just 13 points and five assists for the night.

McBride's impact did not go unnoticed by his teammates. Donte DiVincenzo praised his offensive skills, noting his ability to space the floor and be aggressive. Defensively, McBride made it difficult for the Pacers, denying them opportunities and providing invaluable help defense. DiVincenzo labeled his performance as "special."

Despite the smaller lineup with McBride, who stands at 6'2", replacing Achiuwa, who stands at 6'8", the Knicks dominated the game inside. They outscored the Pacers by an impressive 62-36 margin in the paint and controlled the rebounding battle with 53 rebounds, including 20 offensive boards, compared to the Pacers' 29 rebounds, with only five offensive rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein played a critical role in the Knicks' dominance on the boards, securing 17 rebounds, including 12 offensive rebounds.

Hartenstein acknowledged the importance of playing physical basketball, particularly after the previous games in Indiana where he felt he wasn't playing to his true abilities. Coming into Game 5, he made it a priority to be more physical and it paid dividends for the Knicks.

In other news, tensions rose during the game as Donte DiVincenzo and Myles Turner got into a brief altercation in the third quarter. The incident occurred after DiVincenzo threw down a thunderous dunk and then attempted to fight through a Turner screen, resulting in a foul call. Turner appeared to take exception to an elbow to the gut from DiVincenzo. After the game, DiVincenzo dismissed the incident stating, "Nobody is going to fight in the NBA. So take the foul, keep it moving."

Additionally, injured forward OG Anunoby has been making progress with "light work" on the court, as confirmed by Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. However, there is uncertainty about his return in this series, with sideline reporter Chris Haynes suggesting that Anunoby is likely a long shot to play again, and a potential return for the Eastern Conference Finals is more realistic.

Furthermore, Alec Burks has emerged as a reliable rotation piece for the Knicks since Anunoby's injury. Despite not featuring in the Knicks' earlier playoff games, Burks has made a significant impact, scoring 14, 20, and 18 points in the past three games. His contributions have been vital, and he has earned the trust of his teammates who see him as a true professional.

With the series now at 3-2 in favor of the Knicks, they will head back to Indianapolis with hopes of closing it out and advancing to the next round. The lineup change, dominant performance, and emerging players have provided a boost of confidence for the team as they look to secure their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.