CLEVELAND — The New York Knicks I went home Sunday evening, feeling good and lucky thanks to Star Guard’s prediction Jalen Brunson.
The evening could have taken a different and much more depressing direction.
THE Knicks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-98 despite losing Brunson to a left knee injury that certainly looked worse than the team is now making it out to be. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau called it a “knee bruise” after the game and said X-rays taken at Cleveland Arena were negative.
“Any time someone goes down like that, you’re worried,” Thibodeau said. “But then he felt a little better. He took the x-rays. He has been examined by the doctors and so the news is good.
There was a time, not long ago, when the vibes weren’t so positive.
Immediately after leaving the Cleveland field, Brunson urged doctors not to rule him out of the game, even though he couldn’t walk under his own power. A team trainer and Precious Achiuwa helped the All-Star as he limped near the bench and into the tunnel.
The leader returned to the locker room to test the pressure he could put on his left leg, if he could jump. The Knicks initially announced that Brunson’s return was questionable. Once they realized the pain was too severe for him to compete, they announced he was out.
New York’s players, bordering on jubilation in the visitors’ locker room after what was arguably their most courageous victory of the season, were also informed that Brunson’s injury did not appear serious.
“I asked him if he was okay, and he said he would be okay.” Donte DiVincenzo said. “And that’s it for me.” …I’m not worried about Jalen. He’s one of the toughest guys in the league.
The timeline for Brunson’s injury is still unclear. The Knicks will play Tuesday at home against the Atlanta Falcons. Two consecutive days of rest follow before welcoming the Magic of Orlando.
When asked if there was a possibility Brunson would play in the game against Atlanta, Thibodeau shrugged, as if to say it was too early to tell.
“I guess,” he guessed. “It’s a bruised knee and everything was negative, so we’ll see where he is tomorrow.”
On the Knicks’ first possession Sunday night, Brunson dribbled from the left wing toward the foul line and launched a jump shot, awkwardly kicking both legs to the side as he went up. Brunson was holding his knee before he even landed, and there was no apparent contact from the Cavs defender. Isaac Okoro to report an injury. Brunson jumped several times before falling to the court and disappeared for good with 11:13 left in the first quarter.
A possible cause of the injury occurred just seconds before Brunson fell, when he went around a screen from his teammate, Isaiah Hartenstein, and appeared to accidentally hit knees with the center. But Brunson finished wrapping around the screen, caught the ball and made his move before grabbing his knee in the air.
When asked after the match, Hartenstein wasn’t sure if he took a knee with Brunson or not.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “I saw him on the video continuing to run. I didn’t feel much.
Due to his injury, Brunson did not speak to reporters after the game.
Brunson, 27, an All-Star for the first time this season, is averaging 27.7 points and 6.7 assists – both career highs. Miles McBride entered the game for Brunson, 47 seconds later, and was never replaced. He finished with 16 points and five assists. DiVincenzo led the depleted Knicks with 28 points and six 3-pointers, while Josh Hart had a triple double with 13 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. The Knicks (36-25) are alone fourth in the East.
This rematch of last year’s first round of the playoffs between the Cavs and Knicks had already lost some serious luster, with New York’s absence. Julius Randle, OG Anunoby And Mitchell Robinson – who are recovering from serious injuries – while Cleveland was without Donovan Mitchell And Caris LeVert due to minor injuries.
Brunson’s absence meant four Knicks starters were sidelined for a game with one of the league’s best and hottest teams. Of course, New York is used to this. Injuries have plagued the Knicks all season.
Hartenstein has been in and out of the lineup with Achilles tendinopathy. Bojan Bogdanovic missed a game a few weeks ago with a calf injury. DiVincenzo sat out the same night because of a hamstring. Earlier this week, Brunson was unable to suit up for a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans due to neck spasms.
“It’s really the story of the season,” Thibodeau said. “We’ve been fighting shorthanded since December, so keep fighting. That’s all we can do.
Randle, an All-Star, has been out since Jan. 29 with a dislocated right shoulder. He and Robinson (out since Dec. 11 – ankle surgery) both made the trip to Cleveland with the Knicks, and Randle worked out on the court Sunday morning and again before the game.
“He’s making really good progress, so we’re hoping that’s the case soon,” Thibodeau said of Randle. “You want to make sure that medically the doctors feel good; he feels good there. And then once that happens – and he pretty much does everything. He has had some light contact but nothing yet with a player. So that will be the next step.
The Cavs, who fell to 3-4 after the All-Star break and dropped into second place with the loss, received 21 points off the bench. Sam Merrill. Garland of Darius finished with 19 points and Jarrett Allen scored 18 points. They lost the series to New York, 2-1, a disappointing result for a franchise determined to show it had evolved after a gentleman’s scanning at the hands of the Knicks.
“I think we let our guard down,” Cavs coach JB Bickerstaff said. “We prepared for a one-way game, and I think without him (Brunson) we thought it was going to be a little easier and let our guard down. Different guys contributed and played, and you give NBA talented players get a late opportunity, they’ll bite you in the ass.
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(Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
