What's Next For Knicks After Jalen Brunson Injury?
The New York Knicks are getting out of Ohio with a 107-98 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but not without a hefty price.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson suffered an injury in the first minute of the game and did not return. It was the latest injury the Knicks have had to deal with, as Brunson's fellow starters OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson are all out indefinitely.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS
Luckily for the Knicks, Brunson's initial x-rays came back negative, according to The Athletic's Fred Katz. For the time being, it appears Brunson and the Knicks have avoided a major disaster, though missing the Knicks' next game on Tuesday against Atlanta (7:30 p.m. ET, MSG) is realistic.
Brunson, 27, is averaging a career-best 27.7 points and 6.7 assists so far this season and he's helped elevate the Knicks to new heights and landmarks in his two years with the team. He recently saw this season's efforts rewarded his first All-Star Game nomination.
Should he miss time, fellow Villanova Wildcats Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart will step up, just as they did on Sunday against the Cavs. Hart put forth his third triple-double of the season while DiVincenzo hit six three-pointers. Miles McBride played 47 minutes in place of Brunson and scored 16 points of his own while the recently reported signing of former Philadelphia 76er Shake Milton suddenly looks rather timely.
But the Knicks would be lost without Brunson for a long time. For the time being, it looks like they've avoided that nightmare scenario.
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