The New York Knicks may have seen their season crash right before their eyes when star point guard Jalen Brunson was helped to the locker room very early in their Sunday evening game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. But it sounds like the Knicks dodged a huge bullet.
Less than a minute into the game, Brunson looked uncomfortable as he rose to take a foul line jumper and landed awkwardly. Brunson limped to the three-point line before falling to the ground before being helped off the floor.
Jalen Brunson landed awkwardly, did not look great pic.twitter.com/5PHzm5mCDS
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) March 4, 2024
NBA Rumors: Jalen Brunson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Joel Embiid Updates
During the middle of the second quarter, the Knicks announced that Brunson was questionable to return to the game with a sore knee, according to Stefon Bundy of the New York Post. But Brunson never returned to the sidelines. He was ultimately declared out for the game in the third quarter.
Jalen Brunson (sore left knee) is out for the remainder of tonight’s game. https://t.co/yRtryZQTul
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) March 4, 2024
While Brunson was not touched by Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro, who was guarding him, Bundy said an extended replay showed Brunson banged his leg on Isaiah Hartenstein as he ran around the screen.
Despite being extremely shorthanded, New York (36-25) picked up a 107-98 victory over Cleveland, who was without Donovan Mitchell. Donte DiVincenzo tossed in 28 points on 11 of 22 shooting, including 6 of 14 from beyond the arc, to lead the way for the Knicks. Meanwhile, Josh Hart posted his third triple-double in the last six contests with 13 points, 10 assists and acareer-high tying19 rebounds.
With the victory, New York remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, one-half game ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers (35-35) and one game in front of the Orlando Magic (35-26). It was just the Knicks’ fourth win in the past 12 games
Both the Sixers and Magic also picked up wins last night.
When Could Brunson Return?
Following the game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau announced that Brunson had a knee contusion and his knee x-rays were negative.
“Anytime someone goes down like that you have concern, but then he felt a little better, he had the X-rays, he was examined by the doctors and so that news is good. They just did X-ray, everything was negative.”
“I guess [it’s possible that he plays Tuesday against [the Hawks]. It’s a knee contusion and everything was negative so we’ll see where he is [Monday].”
Now,New York waits on the final word on Brunson availability going forward.
Brunson has to be considered questionable at best when the Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. The Knicks without Julius Randle, who is still deciding his next step in his shoulder recovery, and OG Anunoby at least until the middle of the month. There was thought that Mitchell Robinson would return this year, although that has not been confirmed.
If Brunson does miss time, Miles McBride will get the start at point guard. McBride, who is having a career season, has scored in double-figures in three of the last four games and 12 times in 2024. Shake Milton also figures to be part of the Knicks’ regular rotation once he officially signs with the team.
Other News
- Denver Nuggets small forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal reason) sat out Saturday’s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, but is expected to be available when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, per Bennett Durango of The Denver Post. It was the sixth game of the season that Caldwell-Pope missed.
- Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has “started on-court workouts and began lifting 100% of the weight he lifted prior to th injury,” ESPN’s Katie George reported during the broadcast of the Sixers victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Austin Krell of ESPN973 added that Embiid, who suffered tore his left meniscus on Jan. 30, is expected to be re-evaluated and an update from team expected this upcoming week.
Per @Katie_George05 on the broadcast, Joel Embiid has "started on-court workouts and began lifting 100% of the weight he lifted prior to the injury".
The procedure was 2/6/24, so re-evaluation and update from team expected this upcoming week.
— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) March 3, 2024
Philadelphia is 6-8 during this 14-game stretch without Embiid. Overall, the 76ers are 9-17 without the big fella this season.
