After two games without Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks point guard returned to the starting lineup for Thursday’s game against the Kings. However, after scoring 19 in the first half, he didn’t return in the second half due to left foot soreness.
Brunson missed the Knicks’ thrilling double-overtime win over the Celtics on Sunday. His absence paved the way for Immanuel Quickley to score a career-high 38 points in 55 minutes. He was held out of New York’s next game against Charlotte, which ended up being a trap game for a Knicks team that had been on a nine-game winning streak.
Brunson had an awkward fall on his right ankle in the third quarter of last Friday’s game against Miami and went back to the locker room. He returned to the game and scored eight points to go with the 17 that he had before exiting the game.
It was thought that his left foot soreness had something to do with what happened in the Heat game, but Tom Thibodeau said that Brunson woke up with the soreness on Sunday morning. Thibs showed no concerns about Brunson’s status and said that he would be with the team on their road trip out West.
He was a game-time decision ahead of the game against Sacramento but was seen limping toward the locker room with his left shoe off once the first half came to an end.
Jalen Brunson will not play in second half vs Kings due to left foot soreness. Brunson had missed previous two games due to left foot soreness; he returned tonight & played 19 minutes before being ruled out again. Knicks trail SAC by 18 early in 3rd quarter.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) March 10, 2023
Jalen Brunson doesn’t return to Knicks-Kings with nagging left foot soreness
New York will travel to Los Angeles for back-to-back games against the Clippers and Lakers on Saturday and Sunday. After losing two straight games, the last thing that Knicks fans should want is for Jalen Brunson to miss an extended period of time. The regular season is rapidly coming to a close and the team’s health is of the utmost importance with the playoffs looming.
There wasn’t a particular play where Brunson appeared to re-aggravate his injury. He wasn’t playing like his foot was still bothering him, either. He was New York’s leading scorer at the half when the Knicks were down by 19. Even with no Brunson, the team managed to claw their way back into the game. In the end, though, New York didn’t have an answer for De’Aaron Fox, who came alive in the fourth quarter. It was evident that the Knicks missed their clutch point guard.
It goes without saying that New York is a completely different team without Brunson, especially in close games. Thursday’s loss was a prime example of that. Hopefully, the foot soreness that he was dealing with didn’t turn into something more. He’s been imperative to the Knicks’ success and now isn’t the time to lose him to an injury.
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