Knicks Injury Update: Brunson, Anunoby Out vs. Timberwolves as New York Navigates Key Stretch
The New York Knicks are hitting a critical point in their season, but they’ll have to do it short-handed. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby are officially out for Tuesday’s matchup against the Timberwolves, a tough break as New York faces one of the Western Conference’s most physical and defensively disciplined teams.
Let’s start with the big one: Brunson. The Knicks’ floor general and heartbeat of the offense has been ruled out, and his absence leaves a massive void.
Brunson has been on an absolute tear, recently earning Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for the second time this season. He’s not just scoring - he’s dictating pace, creating for teammates, and giving the Knicks late-game stability that’s been hard to come by in recent years.
Without him, New York loses its primary shot creator and one of the league’s most clutch performers.
OG Anunoby being out adds another layer of difficulty. Since arriving in free agency, Anunoby has brought the kind of two-way presence the Knicks have been craving on the wing. He’s long, physical, and versatile - the kind of defender you throw at stars like Anthony Edwards, who the Knicks will now have to deal with without their top perimeter stopper.
This isn’t just a one-off situation, either. The Knicks are navigating a stretch of the season where every game matters - not just for playoff positioning, but for establishing rhythm and identity. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is known for riding his top guys hard, but with Brunson and Anunoby sidelined, he’ll need to get creative with rotations and lean on depth pieces that haven’t always had consistent roles.
Expect more ball-handling responsibilities to fall on Immanuel Quickley, who’s shown flashes of being able to run the show, and maybe even a bigger scoring load for RJ Barrett. Julius Randle, as always, will need to carry a significant offensive burden - something he’s capable of, but ideally not doing in isolation-heavy sets every possession. The Knicks need movement, spacing, and timely shooting to keep up with a Timberwolves squad that’s been one of the league’s most balanced so far this year.
This is also a chance for the Knicks’ bench to prove its worth. Guys like Quentin Grimes, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Donte DiVincenzo will need to step up - not just to fill minutes, but to impact the game on both ends. Hartenstein’s rebounding and interior defense could be crucial against Minnesota’s size, while DiVincenzo’s energy and shooting can help stretch the floor and keep the offense from bogging down.
The timing of these injuries also adds intrigue to the looming trade deadline. There’s already chatter surrounding the Knicks’ next potential move, especially after their splashy offseason signing.
While the front office has been deliberate in its approach, injuries like these often accelerate decision-making. Depth matters in the NBA - especially in the East, where the playoff race is shaping up to be a grind.
For now, the Knicks will have to weather the storm with what they have. No Brunson.
No Anunoby. But still, a chance to show resilience against a top-tier opponent.
And if there’s one thing this team has shown under Thibodeau, it’s that they won’t go down without a fight.