Knicks All-Star and offensive powerhouse Jalen Brunson apparently injured his knee in the first minute of Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers and did not return to the game.
This is concerning because it appears to be a non-contact injury – Brunson curled up from the left wing, got the ball, elevated to take a jump shot while moving down the line free throws and immediately grabbed his knee in obvious pain. There was no obvious contact from defender Isaac Okoro.
Brunson had to be helped back to the locker room and the Knicks initially said he was questionable to return, then was ruled out for the rest of the game with what the team calls “left knee soreness.” .
There are no further details about the injury, which could be nerve damage or something much more serious.
Brunson is the beating heart of the Knicks’ offense averaging 27.7 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting from 3, and he dishes out 6.7 assists per night. The Knicks are outscoring opponents by 5.8 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court, and Brunson is on track for an All-NBA berth if he plays enough games.
The Knicks’ four most important players – Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson – are all currently injured.
While the Knicks sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 35-26, they are just 1.5 games ahead of the eighth-seeded Pacers – the Knicks are in a confusing group in the middle of the conference and if Brunson misses time (especially important time) it will be difficult for New York to stay in the top six and get out of the play-ins.
