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Knicks News: Jimmy Butler playoff injury update, Jalen Brunson ankle scare

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat heads for the net as Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks defends in the first half during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 30: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat heads for the net as Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks defends in the first half during game one of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks fans are eagerly waiting to hear whether or not Julius Randle will be ready to go for Game 2 on Tuesday. Heat fans are doing the same with Jimmy Butler, who injured his ankle with five minutes left to go in the fourth quarter on Sunday. He stayed in the game, but his status for tonight is still uncertain.

Butler stayed on the ground for a minute grabbing his ankle and needed to shoot his free throws to remain in the game, and that’s just what he did. He was clearly in pain, though, as he was playing with essentially one leg. After the game, he said that his ankle felt like “a rolled ankle.”

On Monday, Erik Spoelstra said that the Heat won’t know Butler’s status until Tuesday, but that he has been “doing treatment round the clock.” It seems as if he’s going to be a gametime decision.

Randle could wind up being the same, as Tom Thibodeau said after Sunday’s loss that he trusted the medical staff’s decision to not have the All-Star forward play in Game 1. He went through a pregame workout where he appeared to be in decent shape. Hopefully, the extra two full days off will benefit Randle and allow him to be ready to go for Game 2.

As for Jalen Brunson, both he and Randle appeared on New York’s injury report. Randle’s name was expected, but Brunson’s wasn’t. While Randle is dealing with a left ankle sprain, Brunson is listed as questionable with a sore right ankle.

More Knicks news

  • After the Knicks’ loss to the Heat on Sunday, RJ Barrett said: “Our confidence is always high. Confidence never wavers. We’re very confident in what we can do in this series.”
  • Days after officially being traded from the Packers to the Jets, Aaron Rodgers was in attendance for Game 1 between New York and Miami at the Garden.
  • ESPN issued an apology after airing a clip of the city with the Twin Towers showing at the bottom of the frame. The senior director of communications wrote, “We mistakenly used an old stock image and we apologize.”

NBA news

  • Joel Embiid (knee) missed Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between Philadelphia and Boston. He participated in a light shootaround on Monday morning, but the injury is believed to be more severe than the previously reported sprained LCL.
  • The 2022-23 NBA MVP Award is set to be announced on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET. Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the award finalists. Jokic and Antetokounmpo have both won the award twice.
  • According to The Athletic (subscription required), the Lakers aren’t interested in signing Kyrie Irving during the offseason. Irving will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
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