CLEVELAND — A frightening Jalen Brunson injury was diagnosed Sunday as a “contused” knee following negative X-rays, a comforting diagnosis considering the sight of the team’s star being helped off the court without the use of his left leg.
Brunson, the point guard who held the Knicks together all season, rose for a jumper and appeared to be in pain as he lifted off, landing with shock and discomfort on his face before throwing up an airball just 47 seconds into a 107-98 victory over the Cavs.
“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,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Jalen Brunson is tended to after an injury in the opening minute against the Cleveland Cavaliers. APAsked if Brunson will undergo an MRI exam, Thibodeau said, “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].”
Brunson knocked knees during an offensive possession in that opening minute, according to Thibodeau, but it’s unclear exactly how that happened.
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Although Brunson was untouched by defender Isaac Okoro while lifting for the jumper, an extended replay showed Brunson banged his leg on Isaiah Hartenstein as he ran around the screen.
The pain occurred a few seconds after that apparent collision — as if a delayed reaction from a charley horse — but Hartenstein said he didn’t feel it.
“I don’t think so,” Hartenstein said. “I saw him on the video keep running.”
Indeed, Brunson ran around the basket following the knee knock, received a pass, and appeared shocked by pain midway through the jumper.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) is helped off the court after a shocking injury to his left knee. APBrunson then limped to the 3-point line, held his knee/shin area and called for a sub. A trainer emerged and helped carry Brunson off the court, along with teammate Precious Achiuwa.
Brunson’s left foot gave way as he was helped into the locker room.
It was another “hold your breath” moment for Knicks fans but Brunson’s teammates didn’t seem too concerned after dropping the Cavaliers in a gutsy win.
Josh Hart, one of Brunson’s best friends on the team, joked in the locker room that he had to put up a triple-double because, “Jalen decided he didn’t want to play.”
Donte DiVincenzo, Brunson’s former college roommate, was also confident the injury was not serious but noted he wasn’t privy to the diagnosis.
“I asked him if he was OK. And he said he’ll be fine. And that’s everything to me,” DiVincenzo said. “Like I said the last time he went down [with a sprained ankle earlier in the season], I don’t worry about Jalen. He’s one of the toughest guys in the league. So whatever it is, I truly can say, I don’t know. Whatever it is, he’s going to bounce back. He’s tough as nails.”
A Brunson absence, if for more than just a couple games, would be tough to withstand for the Knicks, who are already down Julius Randle and OG Anunoby because of injuries.
Brunson is the team’s leading scorer and putting together a season worthy of All-NBA consideration, entering Sunday night averaging 27.7 points and 6.7 assists.
Jalen Brunson goes up for a shot as Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody jumps to defend during the third quarter on Thursday, Feb. 29. Jason Szenes for New York PostThe 27-year-old Brunson has played in 57 of a possible 60 games this season despite two sprained ankles earlier in the season.
Miles McBride subbed out Brunson and never went back to the bench, logging 47 minutes with 16 points.
The Knicks are in the process of signing pending free agent Shake Milton, a point guard who was recently waived by the Pistons.
He’s an insurance policy but the message out of the locker room was the Knicks don’t need to put a claim in for Brunson.
“I don’t think it’s too serious,” Hart said.
