After the New York Knicks’ 124-107 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night, Jalen Brunson was seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and on crutches — a worrying sign that his injury may be more serious than initially believed.
In the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, Brunson took a hard fall after colliding with Wendell Carter Jr. While driving to the rim, appearing to injure his right leg in midair. He immediately grabbed at the leg and needed assistance from his teammates to get up, noticeably limping as he made his way to the free-throw line. After knocking down his second attempt, Brunson intentionally fouled out of the game with under two minutes remaining and headed straight to the locker room.
“I believe he turned his right ankle, but that’s all I know,” head coach Mike Brown said postgame.
The severity of Brunson’s injury is concerning for New York, as he’s been playing some of the best basketball of his career to start the season. On a night when the offense sputtered, Brunson was the lone bright spot, finishing with 31 points and six assists in 37 minutes of play. He was the only Knicks starter to score over 20 points and one of just two to reach double figures.
Brunson missed significant time last season with a right ankle sprain that sidelined him for 15 games over the course of a month. While the team managed to stay afloat in his absence, New York was forced to experiment with its rotations to keep its playoff hopes alive. That same resilience could once again be tested if Brunson’s latest injury keeps him out for an extended stretch.
Wednesday’s matchup with Orlando was physical from start to finish. The Knicks struggled to get calls, attempting 10 fewer free throws than the Magic while also being outrebounded and finishing with nine fewer assists. Brown acknowledged afterward that Orlando’s physicality set the tone.
As for what’s next, the Knicks will await Brunson’s test results and hope the injury isn’t a long-term setback. If he’s unable to suit up in the coming games, expect Miles McBride to step into the starting lineup, with rookie Tyler Kolek backing him up.
New York will close out its seven-game homestand on Friday, November 14, when they host the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden.
More Knicks news:
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