Jalen Brunson
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Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks was named a Top 10 player in the NBA heading into the new season.
The New York Knicks lost more than just a game on Wednesday night.
Star point guard Jalen Brunson rolled his right ankle in the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings and did not return. The Knicks went on to lose 112-101, falling to a Kings team that entered the game 10-30.
After the game, there was some encouraging news. According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards, Brunson walked out of the locker room without a walking boot or crutches.
That is a positive sign. When players leave arenas in boots or on crutches, it usually means they are facing a long absence. The fact that Brunson avoided both suggests the injury may not be as severe as it initially appeared.
Still, the Knicks are holding their breath. This is the same right ankle that has caused Brunson problems all season long.
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Jalen Brunson (ankle) not in walking boot or on crutches after Wednesday’s game, per @JLEdwardsIII.
What Happened to Jalen Brunson Against the Kings
Jalen Brunson
GettyJalen Brunson of the New York Knicks.
Brunson suffered the injury just five minutes into the game.
He was sizing up Kings rookie Maxime Raynaud near the top of the key when he rolled his ankle on a non-contact play. Brunson went into a hesitation dribble, crossed the ball between his legs, and as he tried to make his move, his ankle turned awkwardly.
He fell to the floor and quickly passed the ball to a teammate before limping off the court. Brunson initially stayed in the game for a brief moment but checked out shortly after and headed to the locker room.
The Knicks listed him as questionable to return at first, but by halftime, they had officially ruled him out with a right ankle injury.
Brunson finished with just four points in five minutes before exiting. Head coach Mike Brown did not provide an update on Brunson’s condition after the game, leaving his status for Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors uncertain.
KNICKS BEAST
Brunson tweaked his ankle on this non-contact play.
He initially stayed in the game but went right into the locker room after the next dead ball.
Why This Ankle Has Been a Problem All Season
This is not the first time Brunson has dealt with right ankle issues this season.
Back in November, Brunson sprained the same ankle and missed two games. Last season, he injured it in March and missed a full month of action. The ankle has been a lingering concern for the Knicks, and every time Brunson tweaks it, there is immediate worry about how much time he will miss.
Brunson is averaging a career-high 28.9 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds this season while shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.9% from three. He is the Knicks’ engine, and when he is not on the floor, the offense struggles to function.
Wednesday’s game was proof of that.
How the Knicks Looked Without Jalen Brunson
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks.
The Knicks were completely lost without Brunson.
Sacramento jumped out to a 32-17 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. The Kings led 56-42 at halftime and extended the advantage in the third quarter. New York shot an abysmal 8-of-41 from three-point range and could not generate any offensive rhythm.
Miles McBride, who would step in as the starting point guard if Brunson is unavailable, shot 4-of-14 from the field and 2-of-8 from three. Karl-Anthony Towns, who is supposed to carry the scoring load in Brunson’s absence, managed just 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting.
Former Knick Precious Achiuwa torched his old team with 20 points, 14 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan each scored 10 points in the first quarter as the Kings cruised to victory.
Brown did not hold back when discussing his team’s performance.
“We didn’t respond at all [after losing Brunson],” Brown said. “I got to give the Kings credit because they took it to us, and we didn’t respond in any way, shape, or form. But even before Jalen got hurt, we weren’t following the game plan, and I’m not sure why. But we were kind of just out there going through the motions. If you go through the motions in this league, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to get your behind kicked.”
What Brunson’s Injury Means for the Knicks Moving Forward
The Knicks are currently the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 25-15 record. They sit 3.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the East.
But the Knicks have not looked like themselves lately. Since winning the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, they are 7-7 overall and just 2-5 in their last seven games. Losing Brunson for any extended period would only make things worse.
Brunson is the reigning Clutch Player of the Year and ranks second in the NBA in first-quarter scoring with 10.2 points per game. He is a sure-fire All-Star this season and has been the Knicks’ best player night in and night out.
If Brunson misses time, the Knicks will need Towns to step up in a major way. McBride will have to handle point guard duties, but he is not a playmaker in the same way Brunson is. The offense will stagnate without their captain running the show.
The Knicks play the Warriors on Thursday night, and Brunson’s status remains uncertain. The team will likely wait for imaging results before making any official announcements about how much time he might miss.
Final Word for the Knicks
Jalen Brunson leaving the locker room without a boot or crutches is encouraging.
But the Knicks cannot afford to lose him for any significant stretch. He is their most important player, and the offense falls apart when he is not on the floor. Wednesday night proved that.
The right ankle has been a problem all season long, and every time Brunson tweaks it, the fear is that it could turn into something more serious. The Knicks will be cautious with him, but they also need him on the floor if they want to compete for a championship.
For now, the Knicks can only wait and hope that the injury is minor. If Brunson is forced to miss time, this already shaky stretch could turn into something much worse.