The New York Knicks may have to navigate yet another stretch without their floor general. Jalen Brunson exited Wednesday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings midway through the first quarter after suffering a non-contact right ankle injury. It was a tough sight for Knicks fans - Brunson was simply trying to make a move off the dribble when the ankle gave out awkwardly, and he had to be helped off the floor.
This isn’t uncharted territory for Brunson or the Knicks. The All-Star guard has dealt with issues in that same right ankle before.
Earlier this season, he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain that kept him sidelined for about a week. And last March, a more serious version of the same injury cost him a month of action.
Any time a player goes down without contact, it raises concern, especially when it’s a repeat injury on the same side.
Brunson’s importance to New York can’t be overstated. He’s not just the team’s captain - he’s been the engine of their offense all season long.
Averaging a career-high 28.9 points and 6.3 assists per game, he’s putting up All-NBA caliber numbers while shooting a highly efficient 48.1 percent from the field and nearly 39 percent from deep. He’s also been one of the league’s most dangerous players right out of the gate, ranking second in first-quarter scoring with 10.2 points per game.
That kind of early impact sets the tone, and it’s a big reason the Knicks have been able to jump on teams early.
New York currently sits as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing the top-seeded Detroit Pistons by 3.5 games. But since winning the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, the Knicks have cooled off.
They’re 7-7 since lifting the trophy and have dropped five of their last seven. It’s a stretch that’s raised some questions about consistency, especially on the offensive end - and losing Brunson, even temporarily, won’t help.
The Knicks have been resilient all season, but Brunson is the kind of player you build game plans around. His ability to control tempo, create in isolation, and deliver in crunch time - remember, he’s the league’s reigning Clutch Player of the Year - makes him indispensable. If he’s forced to miss more time, New York’s depth and adaptability will be tested once again.
For now, the Knicks will hold their breath and hope the injury isn’t serious. Because if they want to keep pace in the East and make a real postseason push, they’ll need their leader back on the floor - and at full strength.