Just 47 seconds into the Knicks’ road meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team they are battling for the Eastern Conference playoffs, their All-Star point guard went down with a bruised left knee. At first it seemed much worse. But an X-ray and subsequent MRI revealed no serious damage to Brunson’s knee.
The Knicks persevered and put up a valiant effort to defeat the Cavaliers 107-98, including a 47-minute, 16-point marathon from backup point guard Miles “Deuce” McBride, who was never knocked out by head coach Thibodeau once he entered the match. to replace Brunson.
However, the Knicks were unable to overcome a roster without Brunson, Julius Randle, OG Aunoby and Mitchell Robinson, four of their regular starters, on Tuesday night in losing to the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden 116-110. Since February 3, the Knicks are 4-9 in their last 13 games, after going 15-2 from January 1 to February 1, the best record in the NBA over that span.
Injuries have decimated the Knicks. They accepted it as a reason and not an excuse. But they are also realistic about their ability to compete with even the lowest teams in the league without four of their best players.
