The New York Knicks have encountered a significant setback as their star point guard, Jalen Brunson, is expected to miss at least two weeks due to a right ankle sprain. This injury occurred during the Knicks’ 113-109 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on March 6, 2025. Brunson sustained the injury with 1:24 remaining in overtime after landing awkwardly on Lakers guard Austin Reaves’ foot during a drive to the basket. Despite the injury, Brunson showcased his resilience by remaining in the game to sink both free throws, tying the game at 107, before exiting to the locker room .
Brunson’s absence is a considerable blow to the Knicks, who are currently third in the Eastern Conference standings with a 40-22 record. He has been instrumental in the team’s success, averaging 26.3 points and 7.4 assists per game, ranking seventh and eighth in the league, respectively . His leadership and playmaking abilities have been central to the Knicks’ offensive strategies, and his injury comes at a critical juncture as the team embarks on a challenging five-game West Coast road trip.
The Knicks’ head coach, Tom Thibodeau, acknowledged the difficulty of replacing a player of Brunson’s caliber, stating, “You don’t replace a guy like him individually. We’re going to have to do it collectively.” Teammates echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to compensate for Brunson’s absence. Center Karl-Anthony Towns remarked, “It’s next man up. He’s a huge part of our team. We’ve been playing with grit and have to go out there and do it again” .
The Knicks’ immediate schedule includes games against formidable opponents such as the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and Golden State Warriors. With a 3.5-game lead over the fourth-place Milwaukee Bucks, the team must navigate this stretch carefully to maintain their playoff positioning. Brunson’s injury not only affects the team’s on-court performance but also raises concerns about their depth and resilience in the face of adversity.
Brunson’s injury history has been relatively minimal since joining the Knicks in 2022, making this setback particularly impactful. His durability has been a cornerstone of the team’s stability, and his current injury underscores the importance of depth and adaptability within the roster. The Knicks will need increased contributions from players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, who have shown the capacity to elevate their performance in Brunson’s absence .([The Washington Post][6], [basketnews.com][7])
The team remains hopeful for Brunson’s swift recovery, with plans to re-evaluate his condition after the initial two-week period. Coach Thibodeau expressed confidence in Brunson’s determination, stating, “He’s as tough-minded as they come. Whatever he has to do to get back on the court, he’ll be working at it around-the-clock I know that” . As the Knicks continue their season, the collective effort of the team will be crucial in overcoming this challenge and sustaining their momentum in the Eastern Conference.([FOX Sports][3], [ABC News][1])
[1]: https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/knicks-star-jalen-brunson-expected-miss-2-weeks-119579434?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Knicks star Jalen Brunson expected to miss at least 2 weeks with right ankle sprain – ABC News”
[2]: https://www.mrt.com/sports/article/knicks-high-scoring-jalen-brunson-expected-to-20209565.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Knicks star Jalen Brunson expected to miss at least 2 weeks with right ankle sprain”
[3]: https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/knicks-expect-jalen-brunson-out-little-bit-after-leaving-game-ankle-injury?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Knicks star Jalen Brunson ruled out for two weeks with right ankle sprain | FOX Sports”
[4]: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/article/knicks-guard-jalen-brunson-expected-to-miss-time-20208017.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Knicks guard Jalen Brunson expected to miss time after suffering ankle injury in OT loss to Lakers”
[5]: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/jalen-brunson-injury-update-knicks-star-to-miss-extended-time-with-ankle-sprain-suffered-in-loss-to-lakers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jalen Brunson injury update: Knicks star to miss extended time with ankle sprain suffered in loss to Lakers – CBSSports.com”
[6]: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/07/jalen-brunson-injury-knicks-lakers/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jalen Brunson suffers an ankle injury in the Knicks’ loss to the Lakers – The Washington Post”
[7]: https://basketnews.com/news-223044-jalen-brunsons-injury-might-be-the-turning-point-of-the-knicks-season.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Jalen Brunson’s injury might be the turning point of the Knicks’ season – Basketnews.com”
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