Getty Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks find themselves over .500, but that could be short-lived if Jalen Brunson’s injury keeps him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.
During the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 112-99 win over the Sacramento Kings on December 11, Brunson left the court with what appeared to be ankle sprain and missed the remaining nine minutes of the game.
The Knicks provided an update on Brunson’s injury on December 13, with head coach Tom Thibodeau saying Brunson “was feeling a lot better” a day earlier, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. Thibodeau also characterized Brunson’s injury as a “foot contusion” rather than a sprain, according to a tweet from The Athletic’s Fred Katz.
“Jalen Brunson is QUESTIONABLE for tomorrow’s game in Chicago, Tom Thibodeau says,” Katz reported. “Brunson did not practice today.”
Jalen Brunson is QUESTIONABLE for tomorrow’s game in Chicago, Tom Thibodeau says. Brunson did not practice today.
Brunson’s On-Court Production
Knicks fans were holding their breath when Brunson went down in the Kings game, hoping the injury was not serious, given that the Knicks have now won four in a row, pushing their record to 14-13 and grabbing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
Through 27 games, all starts, he’s averaging a 20.1 points per game, 6.3 assists per game and 3.3 rebounds per game. His points and assists are a career best for him, but that’s not all that surprising considering he’s playing an increased role with the ball in his hands more often. Interestingly, his minutes are actually down this season (31.7) compared with last season with the Dallas Mavericks (31.9).
He’s also shooting a career low from the floor at 46.4% and his 3-point percentage is also at its worst at 32.4%, but he’s taking more shots during his first season with the Knicks than any time in his career.
New York signed Brunson in July to a four-year, $104 million deal with the expectation that he would play a vital role in the Knicks’ lineup, creating a big three that includes Julius Randle and R.J. Barrett.
Former head coach Jason Kidd indicated the Mavericks miss Brunson both for his on-court production as much as for his off-court presence.
“When things aren’t going well he’s someone that was always someone that was a calming voice, to be positive and try to help you out of a slump,” Kidd said, according to a December 5 story by Star Local Media’s Grant Afseth.
Opportunities for Grimes, Quickley & McBride
The Knicks hope they can get Brunson back in time for New York’s December 14 game on the road against the Chicago Bulls, who are 11-14 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference. The two teams will meet two nights later, also in Chicago.
If Brunson is unable to play against Chicago, other Knicks will likely get more minutes.
“With Jalen Brunson now nursing a sore ankle, more will likely be asked of [Quentin] Grimes, [Immanuel] Quickley, and [Miles] McBride and could provide them an opportunity to show just how crucial they are to this team’s continued success,” according to a December 13 story by AMNY’s Eric Samulski.
Those three players happen to be the Knicks’ three most valuable defenders.