The New York Knicks suffered a tough overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, but the bigger concern is Jalen Brunson’s ankle injury. The star guard, who has been the driving force behind the Knicks’ success this season, could be sidelined for an extended period.
Brunson Goes Down in Overtime
Brunson, averaging 26.3 points and 7.4 assists per game, injured his right ankle with 1:24 left in overtime after landing on Lakers guard Austin Reaves’ foot. Despite the injury, he stayed in the game long enough to sink two crucial free throws, tying the score at 107. Moments later, he limped off the court and headed straight to the locker room.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said the medical team is still evaluating Brunson’s condition. Josh Hart, one of Brunson’s closest teammates, expressed concern over the situation.
“It’s a bummer of an injury. We expect him to be out for a little bit,” Hart said.
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A Strong Performance Cut Short
Before exiting, Brunson delivered a dominant performance, scoring 39 points and dishing out 10 assists. He was instrumental in forcing overtime, converting a three-point play after the Lakers erased the Knicks’ double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.
Thibodeau praised Brunson’s toughness, highlighting his ability to play through adversity.
“His mental toughness is through the roof. It doesn’t surprise me the way he played the whole game,” Thibodeau said.
Knicks Face Tough Road Ahead
Brunson’s injury comes at a challenging time for the Knicks. The team, currently sitting at third place in the Eastern Conference (40-22), is in the middle of a five-game West Coast road trip. Next, they take on the Los Angeles Clippers, followed by matchups against Sacramento, Portland, and Golden State.
With their star guard potentially missing time, the Knicks must rely on other key players to step up.
“It’s next man up. He’s a huge part of our team. We’ve been playing with grit and have to go out there and do it again,” said Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Knicks have been resilient all season, but Brunson’s absence could test their depth and ability to maintain momentum in a competitive Eastern Conference.
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