Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson injures ankle in win; status uncertain

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When the Madison Square Garden bell rang, signaling the end of the The New York Knicks‘ 123-113 over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, there was none of the usual cheers from the sold-out crowd.

Knicks faithful’s thoughts focused on All-Star shooting guard status Jalen Brunson, the team leader in minutes, points and assists per game this season. Brunson had 27 points and eight assists before exiting New York’s 16th win in its last 19 games with an apparent right ankle injury when he landed poorly while being fouled by GG Jackson with 5:31 left, and no return.

New York did not provide an update after the game, and coach Tom Thibodeau only said “I don’t think so” when asked if he thought Brunson might have returned. Knicks Center Isaiah Hartenstein He said the injury “looked like a sprained ankle from my point of view,” when asked about it after the game.

The injury also resonated in the Memphis locker room.

“I hope he’s healthy,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “Obviously he’s having an incredible season.”

Brunson reportedly left the Knicks locker room without a boot or with a noticeable limp. When asked if he was worried about Brunson missing a lot of time, the New York guard Donte Di Vincenzowho also played with Brunson in college at Villanova, trusted his longtime teammate.

“I saw him fall and I saw him rock back and forth,” DiVincenzo said after the game. “After playing with him for so long, I don’t worry about Jalen at all. He’s one of the toughest guys in the league.”

Brunson has missed only two of New York’s first 51 games. He has proven especially valuable over the past three weeks, averaging 32.3 points and 6.8 assists in roughly 36 minutes per game while helping New York go 10-1 in that span despite losing his teammate All-Star. Julio Randle and initial guard OG Anunobi to injuries.

If Brunson joins those two, along with center michel robinsonwho is also out with an ankle injury and potentially forward jose hart who was being treated for a leg injury after the Knicks’ victory, New York’s top five players in minutes per game could be absent at least until the All-Star Game on February 18.

“There are so many games that there will be times, especially right before the All-Star break, where you’re going to be banged up,” Hartenstein said. “That’s why you have a team of guys ready to step up. We have the luxury of having several guys that can step up. But yeah, we’re a little banged up.”

But according to DiVincenzo, don’t rule out Brunson just yet.

“In my opinion, he’s playing. I don’t question it at all,” DiVincenzo said. “I’m not worried about him.”

With injuries come opportunities, and DiVincenzo took his on Tuesday by scoring eight of New York’s last 10 points after Brunson’s departure, finishing with 32 points.

“Whatever the lineup is, guys are in the NBA for a reason,” DiVincenzo said. “(Thibodeau) has a plan for us to carry out and a game plan, and you follow it and everyone is aggressive, and you’ve seen guys have big nights, so I’m not too worried about that.”

Information from The Associated Press.

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