Knicks Receive Worrying Jalen Brunson Update Ahead of Grizzlies Clash

The New York Knicks have had a rough stretch lately, dropping three straight and looking nothing like the team that clinched a playoff spot just days ago. Now, heading into a road game in Memphis, the injury news is not helping.

SNY's Ian Begley posted on X: "Knicks are listing Jalen Brunson (ankle soreness) as questionable for tonight at MEM. Miles McBride (core muscle injury management) is out. Mitch Robinson is also out on 2nd night of back to back."

Knicks are listing Jalen Brunson (ankle soreness) as questionable for tonight at MEM. Miles McBride (core muscle injury management) is out. Mitch Robinson is also out on 2nd night of back to back
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) April 1, 2026

That is three players out or uncertain in one update, and the biggest name on that list is Brunson. He averages 26.1 points per game and has been the one holding this offense together all season.

But he was far from his best in the Rockets' loss, finishing with just 12 points on 5-14 shooting, three turnovers, and a team-worst -26 in 37 minutes. An ankle issue on top of that form is the last thing New York needs heading into Memphis.

McBride's absence stings too, just in a different way. He had just returned from a 28-game stretch on the sideline after core muscle surgery, only to exit his comeback game after diving for a loose ball and grabbing at his groin. There is no clear timeline on when he will be back.

The one piece of good news is that Landry Shamet is not on the injury report. He missed the previous five games with a right knee contusion, so having him available gives the Knicks at least one reliable shooter back off the bench.

How Knicks Injury Report Affects the Memphis Game

Even with the injuries, Memphis is not exactly a scary matchup on paper. The Grizzlies are 25-50, Ja Morant is done for the season with an elbow injury, and their leading scorer, Ty Jerome, is also out for this game. On paper, this looks like a favorable matchup, but the Knicks have struggled to pull away from lesser opponents lately, and a shorthanded rotation on the road does not make it easier.

If Brunson plays, New York at least has its best player out there to manage the game. If he sits, the offensive load shifts to Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson, and while both can contribute, neither is built to carry a team through a full game. The Knicks have enough depth to survive one night without Robinson or McBride. Without Brunson, it gets a lot harder.

His status should be clearer closer to tip-off at 8 PM ET. For a team trying to find its footing before the playoffs, getting Brunson on the floor healthy matters far more than the final result in Memphis.

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