After landing awkwardly, Knicks player Brunson leaves the game; status unknown
NEW YORK The sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden did not erupt in applause when the buzzer ended Tuesday night’s New York Knicks’ 123-113 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
The status of All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who leads the team in minutes, points, and assists per game this season, began to dominate the minds of the Knicks supporters. With 5:31 remaining, after being fouled by G.G. Jackson, Brunson had 27 points and eight assists before leaving New York’s 16th win in their previous 19 games due to what appeared to be a right-ankle injury. Brunson did not return.
When asked if he believed Brunson could have returned, New York coach Tom Thibodeau simply responded, “I don’t think so,” without offering any further information. When questioned about the injury after the game, Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein stated that it “looked like an ankle sprain from my view.”
The Memphis locker room felt the impact of the injury as well.
Coach Taylor Jenkins of the Grizzlies remarked, “I hope he’s healthy.” “Clearly, he’s having an incredible season.”
Reports state that Brunson walked out of the Knicks locker room without a boot or any discernible limp. Donte DiVincenzo of New York, a guard who played with Brunson at Villanova in college, expressed confidence in his longtime teammate when asked if he was concerned about Brunson missing significant time.
Following the game, DiVincenzo said, “I saw him go down, and I saw him rocking back and forth.” After playing with him for so long, Jalen is not even on my mind. He is among the league’s toughest players.
Just two of New York’s first 51 games have been missed by Brunson. Despite the injuries to starting guard OG Anunoby and fellow All-Star Julius Randle, he has been particularly useful over the last three weeks, averaging 32.3 points and 6.8 assists in roughly 36 minutes per game to help New York go 10-1 during that time.
If Brunson follows in the footsteps of those two, as well as center Mitchell Robinson, who is also sidelined due to an ankle injury, and forward Josh Hart, who was receiving treatment for a leg injury following the Knicks’ victory, New York’s top five players in terms of minutes played may miss the All-Star Game on February 18 at the latest.
Hartenstein stated, “You’re going to have times when you’re banged up because you have so many games, especially right before All-Star.” “For this reason, you have a group of men prepared to take charge. We are fortunate to have several guys who are willing to step up. However, we do have some injuries.
However, DiVincenzo says that Brunson shouldn’t be written off just yet.
He’s playing, in my opinion. That’s not at all in doubt, DiVincenzo said. I have no concerns about him.
Chances arise from injuries, and DiVincenzo took advantage of his Tuesday by scoring eight of New York’s final ten points after Brunson left the game, for a total of 32 points.
“Guys are in the NBA for a reason, regardless of the lineup,” DiVincenzo remarked. “I’m not too worried about that because (Thibodeau) has a blueprint for us to play out and a game plan, and you follow that and everybody be aggressive.”
