Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart stood at the scorer’s table, watching the Detroit Pistons extend their lead in the closing minutes of Game 5 and waiting to check in, waiting for the chance to try to turn the tide.

Brunson could not re-enter for the stretch run, when he so often thrives. It cost the Knicks the opportunity to close out this series, which shifts to Detroit for Game 6.

From the scorer’s table — not the court — two of the Knicks’ key players stood sidelined as Game 5 slipped through their fingers.