N.B.A
Published March 3, 2024, 11:48 p.m. ET
CLEVELAND – A frightening injury to Jalen Brunson was diagnosed as a “bruised” knee Sunday after negative X-rays, a comforting diagnosis considering the team star was helped off the field without the use of his left leg.
Brunson, the point guard who held the Knicks together all season, rose for a jump and appeared to be in pain as he took off. He landed with shock and discomfort on his face before throwing an airball just 47 seconds into the 107-98 win over the Cavs.
“Anytime someone goes down like that, you worry, but then he got a little better, he got an X-ray, he got checked out by the doctors and that's good news,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Jalen Brunson is being cared for after suffering an injury in the first minute against the Cleveland Cavaliers. AP
When asked if Brunson would undergo an MRI scan, Thibodeau said: “They just did an X-ray, everything was negative.
“I guess [it’s possible that he plays Tuesday against the Hawks]. It's a knee bruise and everything was negative, so we'll see where he goes [Monday].”
According to Thibodeau, Brunson hurt his knee on an offensive ball in that first minute, but it's unclear exactly how that happened.
Although Brunson was untouched by defenseman Isaac Okoro as he rose for the jump shot, a lengthy replay showed Brunson slamming his leg into Isaiah Hartenstein as he ran across the screen.
The pain appeared a few seconds after that apparent collision – as if it were a horse's delayed reaction – but Hartenstein said he didn't feel it.
“I don’t believe that,” said Hartenstein. “I saw him walking on the video.”
In fact, after the knee strike, Brunson ran around the basket, received a pass, and appeared to be in shock in mid-jump.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is helped off the court after suffering a shocking injury to his left knee. AP
Brunson then limped to the 3-point line, held his knee/shin area and called for a substitution. A trainer came and helped carry Brunson off the field along with his teammate Precious Achiuwa.
Brunson's left foot gave out as he was helped into the locker room.
It was another “hold your breath” moment for Knicks fans, but Brunson's teammates didn't seem too worried after they defeated the Cavaliers in a gutsy win.
Josh Hart, one of Brunson's best friends on the team, joked in the locker room that he had to post a triple-double because “Jalen decided he didn't want to play.”
Donte DiVincenzo, Brunson's former college roommate, was also confident that the injury was not serious, but noted that he was not privy to the diagnosis.
“I asked him if he was okay. And he said he would be fine. And that’s it for me,” DiVincenzo said. “Like I said the last time he went down [with a sprained ankle earlier in the season], I'm not worried about Jalen. He's one of the toughest guys in the league. Whatever it is, I can truly say: I don't know. Whatever it is, he'll bounce back. He’s tough.”
Brunson's absence, even for just a few games, would be difficult to endure for the Knicks, who already have Julius Randle and OG Anunoby due to injuries.
Brunson is the team's leading scorer and has put together a season worthy of All-NBA consideration. He entered Sunday night averaging 27.7 points and 6.7 assists.
Jalen Brunson tries to shoot as Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody jumps on defense in the third quarter on Thursday, February 29. Jason Scenes for the New York Post
Brunson, 27, has played 57 of a possible 60 games this season despite spraining two ankles early in the season.
Miles McBride replaced Brunson and was never on the bench again. He played 47 minutes and scored 16 points.
The Knicks are in the process of signing free agent Shake Milton, a point guard who was recently released by the Pistons.
He's an insurance policy, but the message from the locker room was that the Knicks don't need to make a claim on Brunson.
“I don’t think it’s too serious,” Hart said.
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