CLEVELAND – It was the scariest moment for Knicks fans. Jalen Brunson left the court with an apparent non-contact injury.
Brunson, the Knicks’ leading point guard all season, stood up to take a jumper, but appeared to be in pain as he jumped and landed with shock and discomfort on his face, making the score 107-98 Sunday. He threw an air ball right after the start of the game. Win against the Cavaliers.
The scene was far scarier than the official update from the Knicks. Midway through the second quarter, the Knicks said Brunson was “doubtful” to return due to a sore left knee.
Knicks manager Tom Thibodeau said after the game that Brunson suffered a bruised knee and X-rays were negative.
The cause of the injury remained unknown, as Brunson sat out the remainder of the first half and never came out of the locker room again.
Defender Isaac Okoro was not touched while hoisting a jumper, but extended replay showed Brunson hit Isaiah Hartenstein’s foot as he ran around a screen.
Seconds after the collision with Hartenstein, he felt pain while holding the same ball and raised his body.
Brunson hobbled to the 3-point line, held his knee and shin and called for a sub.
A trainer appeared and helped carry Brunson off the court along with teammate Precious Achiuwa.
Brunson was unable to put weight on his left leg and it broke when he was helped to the locker room.
The Knicks announced that Brunson is suffering from soreness in his left knee and his return is questionable.
Brunson’s extended absence would be a disaster for the Knicks, who are already without Julius Randle and OG Anunoby with injuries.
But neither is as important as Brunson, who is the team’s leading scorer and is putting together a season worthy of All-NBA consideration.
He averaged 27.7 points and 6.7 assists, and this night came less than a month after his first All-Star appearance.
Brunson, 27, played in 57 of his available 60 games this season despite suffering two ankle sprains earlier in the season.
Miles McBride replaced Brunson and played the remainder of the first quarter.
The Knicks are already considering signing free agent Shake Milton, the point guard who was recently waived by the Pistons.
However, Milton was unable to start in Brunson’s place for the remaining 22 games of the season. The Knicks entered Sunday in fourth place in the East, just 1 1/2 games out of the No. 8 seed and could quickly fall apart if Brunson is sidelined for some time.
Before the game, Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff explained how the Knicks’ offense will penetrate point guards.
“Without Randle, it’s like Jalen Brunson. It’s not like he hasn’t been heavily involved, but most of their work is going through him and obviously he’s going to lead the team. He’s proven he’s capable,” Bickerstaff said.
