Jalen Brunson sustained a knee contusion while playing against the Cavaliers.
Jalen Brunson suffered a left knee contusion less than a minute into Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, causing him to exit early. Coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t provided a specific timeline for his return.
The New York Knicks had a satisfying victory on Sunday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. They felt fortunate when they learned that star guard Jalen Brunson’s knee injury wasn’t severe. Despite Brunson’s early exit from the game, the Knicks still managed to secure a 107-98 win. Coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned it was just a knee bruise, and X-rays confirmed no significant damage.
After someone gets hurt like that, you worry,” Thibodeau said. “But he started feeling better. He got X-rays and saw the doctors, and the news is good.”
However, right after the injury, everyone was concerned.
Despite having difficulty walking, Brunson insisted on not being ruled out of the game. With the assistance of a team trainer and Precious Achiuwa, he limped off the court and into the tunnel.
The point guard headed to the locker room to check if he could put weight on his left leg and jump. Initially, the Knicks said he might return to play, but when they saw he was still in a lot of pain, they ruled him out for the game.
After the game, the New York players were in high spirits in the locker room. They believed it was one of their best wins of the season. Additionally, they received reassurance that Brunson’s injury is not serious.
Teammate Donte DiVincenzo checked on Jalen and he said he’ll be fine. DiVincenzo isn’t concerned because he thinks Jalen is one of the toughest guys in the league.
We’re not sure when Jalen Brunson will return. The Knicks have a game against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday and then two days off before playing the Orlando Magic. When asked if Jalen could play in the Atlanta game, Coach Thibodeau didn’t give a clear answer, so it’s still uncertain.
He said it’s a knee bruise, and all the tests came back clear, so we’ll check on him tomorrow,” Thibodeau remarked.
During the Knicks’ first play on Sunday, Brunson took a jump shot, but landed awkwardly, clutching his knee. There was no contact from a Cavs defender. After a few hops, he fell to the court and couldn’t continue playing.
Just before getting injured, Brunson accidentally bumped knees with teammate Isaiah Hartenstein while maneuvering around a screen. Despite this, Brunson continued playing, caught the ball, and made his move before clutching his knee in midair.
After the game, Hartenstein wasn’t certain if he accidentally collided knees with Brunson. Brunson didn’t speak with reporters afterward. Brunson, 27, who earned his first All-Star selection this season, is enjoying a career-best year, averaging 27.7 points and 6.7 assists. Miles McBride replaced Brunson just 47 seconds into the game and played the entire match, scoring 16 points and providing five assists. DiVincenzo led the depleted Knicks with 28 points and six 3-pointers, while Josh Hart recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Knicks (36-25) hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
The rematch between the Cavs and Knicks from last year’s playoffs wasn’t as exciting. The Knicks were missing Randle, Anunoby, and Robinson due to injuries, while the Cavs didn’t have Mitchell and LeVert. With Brunson also out, four Knicks starters couldn’t play against the Cavs, one of the top teams in the league. Injuries have been a major issue for the Knicks all season.
Hartenstein has been in and out of the lineup due to Achilles tendinopathy, while Bogdanović and DiVincenzo missed games recently with calf and hamstring injuries, respectively. Brunson was unable to play due to neck spasms.
“It’s been the story of the season,” Thibodeau remarked. “We’ve been short-handed since December, so we just keep fighting.”
Randle, an All-Star, has been sidelined since January 29 with a dislocated right shoulder. Both Randle and Robinson, who has been out since December 11 due to ankle surgery, traveled with the Knicks to Cleveland. Randle even worked out on the court before the game.
“He’s making good progress, so we’re hopeful he’ll return soon,” Thibodeau said regarding Randle. “We need to ensure he’s medically cleared and feels confident before he comes back. He’s been doing almost everything in practice, but hasn’t had full contact with other players yet.”
The Cavs (39-21) suffered their fourth loss since the All-Star break, dropping out of second place. Sam Merrill scored 21 points off the bench, while Darius Garland had 19 points and Jarrett Allen added 18 points. Despite their efforts, the Cavs lost the season series to the Knicks 2-1, a disappointing outcome for a team aiming to show progress after last season’s playoff defeat.
“I think we relaxed a bit,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We were prepared for a different matchup, and without Brunson, we underestimated the challenge. Different players stepped up for them, and in the NBA, talented players can hurt you if you give them a chance.”