The New York Knicks have found their rhythm after a rocky 2-3 start to the 2025-26 campaign, winning five of their last six contests.
However, during the franchise’s 124-107 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, the organization’s star point guard, Jalen Brunson, suffered an unfortunate injury that could be problematic down the line.
Unsurprisingly, the Villanova product has already been ruled out for Friday night’s contest against the Miami Heat.
Why Jalen Brunson isn’t playing for the Knicks tonight vs. The Heat with injury news.
Due to an ankle sprain, Brunson will be unavailable for the Knicks on Friday night.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed the extent of Brunson’s lower-body setback.
“The New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson sustained a Grade 1 right ankle sprain in Wednesday night's game and will be evaluated daily moving forward,” Charania reported. “Brunson was ruled out for Friday's game against the Miami Heat, per the injury report.”
“The injury is to the same ankle Brunson sprained last season that forced him to sit out 15 games. It was initially termed a two-week injury, but he sat out additional time before returning for the playoffs.”
“He seemed to aggravate the ankle injury a couple of times in the first round but appeared otherwise unbothered by it during New York's run to the Eastern Conference finals.”
Brunson is a significant part of the Knicks’ offense, making his absence, whether short or lengthy, devastating for the Knicks.
The 28.0 points per game scorer is New York’s most lethal isolation and late-game operator at 6-foot-2.
While Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby will try their best to pick up the slack, the Knicks will likely find it challenging to enjoy the same level of success on the offensive end without Brunson.
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