{"id":65801,"date":"2024-03-04T06:13:55","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T11:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=65801"},"modified":"2024-03-04T06:21:08","modified_gmt":"2024-03-04T11:21:08","slug":"jalen-brunson-kentavious-caldwell-pope-joel-embiid-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/03\/04\/jalen-brunson-kentavious-caldwell-pope-joel-embiid-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Rumors: Jalen Brunson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Joel Embiid Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The New York Knicks may have seen their season crash right before their eyes when star point guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/brunsja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jalen Brunson<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jalen Brunson landed awkwardly, did not look great <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5PHzm5mCDS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/5PHzm5mCDS<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; CJ Fogler \ud83e\udee1 (@cjzero) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cjzero\/status\/1764444762394738818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>NBA Rumors: Jalen Brunson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Joel Embiid Updates<\/h2>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2024\/03\/03\/sports\/jalen-brunson-leaves-knicks-game-early-in-major-injury-concern\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stefon Bundy of the New York Post<\/a>. But Brunson never returned to the sidelines. He was ultimately declared out for the game in the third quarter.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Jalen Brunson (sore left knee) is out for the remainder of tonight\u2019s game. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yRtryZQTul\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/yRtryZQTul<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NY Knicks PR (@NY_KnicksPR) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NY_KnicksPR\/status\/1764463119655412197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 4, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>While Brunson was not touched by Cavaliers forward<a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/o\/okorois01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong> Isaac Okoro<\/strong><\/a>, who was guarding him, Bundy said an extended replay showed Brunson banged his leg on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/harteis01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Isaiah Hartenstein<\/strong> <\/a>as he ran around the screen.<\/p>\n<p>Despite being extremely shorthanded, New York (36-25) picked up a 107-98 victory over Cleveland, who was without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mitchdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Donovan Mitchell<\/strong><\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/divindo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Donte DiVincenzo<\/strong><\/a> 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, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hartjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Josh Hart<\/strong> <\/a>posted his third triple-double in the last six contests with 13 points, 10 assists and acareer-high tying19 rebounds.<\/p>\n<p>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&#8217; fourth win in the past 12 games<\/p>\n<p>Both the Sixers and Magic also picked up wins last night.<\/p>\n<h3>When Could Brunson Return?<\/h3>\n<p>Following the game, Knicks coach<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2024\/03\/03\/sports\/knicks-breathe-sigh-of-relief-after-scary-jalen-brunson-injury-moment\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Tom Thibodeau announced that Brunson<\/a> had a knee contusion and his knee x-rays were negative.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAnytime 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI guess [it\u2019s possible that he plays Tuesday against [the Hawks]. It\u2019s a knee contusion and everything was negative so we\u2019ll see where he is [Monday].\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Now,New York waits on the final word on Brunson availability going forward.<\/p>\n<p>Brunson has to be considered questionable at best when the Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. The Knicks without <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/randlju01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Julius Randle<\/strong><\/a>, who is still deciding his next step in his shoulder recovery,\u00a0 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/anunoog01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>OG Anunoby<\/strong><\/a> at least until the middle of the month. There was thought that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/robinmi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mitchell Robinson<\/strong><\/a> would return this year, although that has not been confirmed.<\/p>\n<p>If Brunson does miss time, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcbrimi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Miles McBride<\/strong> <\/a>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. <strong>Shake Milton<\/strong> also figures to be part of the Knicks&#8217; regular rotation once he officially signs with the team.<\/p>\n<h3>\u00a0 Other News<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Denver Nuggets small forward <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/caldwke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kentavious Caldwell-Pope<\/strong><\/a> (personal reason) sat out Saturday&#8217;s victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, but is expected to be available when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denverpost.com\/2024\/03\/03\/lebron-james-career-points-nikola-jokic-pregame-trash-talk\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bennett Durango of The Denver Post<\/a>.\u00a0 It was the sixth game of the season that Caldwell-Pope missed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Philadelphia 76ers center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/embiijo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Joel Embiid<\/strong><\/a> has \u201cstarted on-court workouts and began lifting 100% of the weight he lifted prior to th injury,\u201d ESPN\u2019s Katie George reported during the broadcast of the Sixers victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Meanwhile, Austin Krell of ESPN973 added that Embiid, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2023\/12\/09\/nba-rumors-jalen-brunson-kyrie-irving-anthony-edwards-joel-embiid-injury-updates-plus-more\/\" target=\"_self\">who suffered tore his left meniscus on Jan. 30<\/a>, is expected to be re-evaluated and an update from team expected this upcoming week.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Per <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Katie_George05?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Katie_George05<\/a> on the broadcast, Joel Embiid has &quot;started on-court workouts and began lifting 100% of the weight he lifted prior to the injury&quot;.<\/p>\n<p>The procedure was 2\/6\/24, so re-evaluation and update from team expected this upcoming week.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NBAKrell\/status\/1764357895217451208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 3, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Philadelphia is 6-8 during this 14-game stretch without Embiid. Overall, the 76ers are 9-17 without the big fella this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3146,"featured_media":65814,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,1608],"tags":[108,1417,267,1105,58,225],"class_list":["post-65801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba","category-basketball","tag-denver-nuggets","tag-jalen-brunson","tag-joel-embiid","tag-kentavious-caldwell-pope","tag-new-york-knicks","tag-philadelphia-76ers"],"modified_by":"Daniel Benjamin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65801"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65801\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/65814"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}