Even setting aside Chen Xi's individual performance—though that was impossible—the Knicks still deserved to win tonight.
Several of their role players had stepped up, too.
Obi Toppin hit six threes in a single game! He finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, becoming Chen's most reliable scorer and attacking option.
Then there was Ingles, who excelled in the battle between the rotation units and put up 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists in his first game back, as well as Tari Eason, who hit a crucial three in the closing moments and finished with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
All three excellent role players delivered outstanding performances.
Their play also lifted the entire Knicks team's morale and rhythm, becoming a key factor in New York's victory tonight.
Looking back at the Bucks, Giannis and Cousin had performed as consistently as ever.
One recorded 31 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists, while the other had 28 points, four rebounds, and nine assists. Together, their two stars combined for 59 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists.
Yet their overall offensive firepower still felt insufficient during the game.
In short, they were consistent, but not explosive enough.
Meanwhile, under those circumstances, their role players' performances could only be described as unremarkable and ordinary.
In the regular season, normal performances like these from the Bucks' players might often have been enough to win.
But in the Playoffs, in the pivotal Game 5 of the second round, that level of performance really did fall short of the strength Milwaukee possessed on paper.
The Knicks ultimately won the pivotal Game 5, putting themselves one win away from taking the series.
The Bucks, meanwhile, were just one step away from elimination.
That was probably something the vast majority of