With their season hanging within the stability, the New York Knicks delivered a must-win efficiency in Sport 5 of the Japanese Convention Finals, defeating the Indiana Pacers 111-94 at Madison Sq. Backyard. The victory trimmed the Pacers’ collection result in 3-2 and sends the matchup again to Indiana for a pivotal Sport 6. However past the field rating, it was a postgame second between Jalen Brunson and J.R. Smith that captured the center of New York’s championship hopes.
J.R. Smith rubbed his championship rings on Jalen Brunson’s shoulder and mentioned “you bought ring fever now” 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ukEUtTde1i
— The Strickland (@TheStrickland) Might 30, 2025
Within the video shared by @TheStrickland on X (previously Twitter), Smith is seen rubbing his two NBA championship rings on Brunson’s shoulder claiming the next.
“You bought ring fever now”
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The gesture wasn’t simply playful—it was symbolic. Smith, a former Knicks guard and champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020), supplied a second of motivation to Brunson, who has been nothing in need of phenomenal this postseason. His 32-point efficiency in Sport 5 marked yet one more milestone in what’s shaping as much as be an unbelievable run by the previous Villanova guard.
Moments like that mirror the rising confidence round this group and its chief. Brunson isn’t simply producing huge numbers—he’s commanding huge respect. The popularity from a champion like Smith solely underscores how very important Brunson has turn into to the Knicks’ title hopes.
Brunson now leads a Knicks group that continues to rally in opposition to adversity. Karl-Anthony Cities fought by means of damage to publish 24 factors and 13 rebounds, Josh Hart added a double-double, and New York held Indiana to their lowest scoring output of the NBA Playoffs. The group fed off the vitality inside MSG—and maybe, a bit off that “ring fever” too. With Sport 6 on the horizon, Brunson’s encounter with Smith provides one other layer to the Knicks’ narrative. It’s a reminder that legacies are in-built moments like these. Another win, and New York forces Sport 7 within the Backyard.