The New York Knicks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday evening, 123-113, to choose up their tenth win of their final 11 video games. It was not with no few frights, nevertheless, the worst of which got here when All-Star level guard Jalen Brunson rolled his ankle late within the fourth quarter and needed to go away the sport.
Brunson seems to have averted a extreme sprain. He left the sector with no limp or crutches, according to Ian Begley.
The Knicks led by as a lot as 28 and have been nonetheless forward by 20-plus factors early within the fourth quarter. They appeared to be cruising to a simple win till the Grizzlies mounted a livid comeback that compelled Tom Thibodeau to place the Knicks’ starters again within the sport. Only a few minutes after his return, Brunson was driving to the basket when he slipped and twisted his proper ankle.
Brunson instantly left the sport and went again to the locker room. He didn’t return, and the Grizzlies ultimately minimize the deficit right down to 4 factors earlier than the Knicks held on. After the sport, all anybody cared about was Brunson’s standing, given his significance to the workforce.
Thibodeau provided little in the way in which of particulars, saying solely that Brunson was being evaluated by the workforce’s medical workers. Donte DiVincenzo, nevertheless, gave a optimistic replace.
“Enjoying with him for therefore lengthy, I stated, ‘You good?’ and he is like, ‘I am good,’ and I did not ask something after that,” DiVincenzo, who completed with 32 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, stated. “I do not fear about Jalen in any respect. He is one of many hardest guys within the league. I am not frightened.”
Begley’s report and DiVincenzo’s feedback may have New York Metropolis respiration a sigh of aid. It stays to be seen how lengthy, if in any respect, Brunson could also be sidelined, however all indications are that he must be again sooner reasonably than later.
That is nice information for a Knicks workforce that has surged right into a tie for third place within the Jap Convention at 33-18, and is already coping with quite a lot of accidents. Julius Randle (shoulder), OG Anunoby (elbow), and Quentin Grimes (knee) have been all out on Tuesday, along with large man Mitchell Robinson, who underwent ankle surgical procedure again in December.
Brunson, who was lately named to the All-Star Recreation for the primary time in his profession, has carried the Knicks all season lengthy. His 27.3 factors and 6.5 assists per sport are each career-highs, and he is taking pictures 41.3% from 3-point land.
