New York Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson will be sidelined for at least two weeks after suffering an ankle injury during Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The team confirmed the diagnosis on Friday evening, and coach Tom Thibodeau said Brunson will need some time to recover.
Brunson rolled his right ankle with 1:24 remaining in overtime after landing awkwardly from a foul by Lakers guard Austin Reaves. Despite the injury, he managed to stay in the game and make both free throws to tie the score at 107 before eventually exiting the game.
The injury is a significant blow for the Knicks, who are currently third in the Eastern Conference with a 40-22 record. Brunson was having an outstanding performance, scoring 39 points and dishing out 10 assists. Coach Thibodeau praised his mental toughness, saying it’s “through the roof.”
For now, teammates will need to step up and fill the void left by Brunson’s absence. Center Karl-Anthony Towns acknowledged the importance of Brunson to the team, saying, “It’s next man up.” The Knicks will face a tough stretch with upcoming games against the Clippers, Sacramento, Portland, and Golden State.
Source: https://www.nba.com/news/knicks-guard-jalen-brunson-expected-to-miss-time-after-suffering-ankle-injury-in-ot-loss-to-lakers