Recurring injury sees New York Knicks lose star player once again

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson suffered a right ankle sprain that forced him out of Wednesday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings, deepening concerns around the team’s health as they navigate a difficult stretch of the season.

Brunson went down early in the first quarter after awkwardly stepping on a pass and immediately favouring his right ankle. The team’s top scorer was on the court for just over five minutes, scoring four points, before limping off and eventually being ruled out for the remainder of the contest at halftime. The Knicks never got a grip of proceedings, and slumped to a disappointing defeat against a clearly superior Kings side.

“We didn’t respond in any way, shape, or form”

“We didn’t respond at all [after losing Brunson],” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “I got to give the Kings credit because they took it to us, and we didn’t respond in any way, shape, or form. But even before Jalen got hurt, we weren’t following the game plan, and I’m not sure why. But we were kind of just out there going through the motions. If you go through the motions in this league, it doesn’t matter. You’re going to get your behind kicked.”

The timing of the injury could hardly be worse for the Knicks, with the team already dealing with its fair share of absences and struggles; the team lost 112-101 to Sacramento, extending a worrisome run in which they have lost six of their last eight games.

What’s adding to the worry is that this is not the first time Brunson’s right ankle has forced him off the court. The All-Star guard missed two games in mid-November with a sprain and also sat out nearly a month last season after a similar injury, with his postseason run being marred by the same issue.

After the game had wrapped up, it was reported that the player left the stadium without the need of a protective boot or crutches, keeping hopes alive for a swift recovery.

Related stories

NBA | Mavs 109 - Nuggets 118

Nuggets show how far the Mavericks have fallen

NBA

LeBron hits out: “Love me or hate me, you’ll remember me”

On the game itself, Brown called it “one of the worst, if not the worst, games we’ve played the entire year,” adding that “we didn’t respond. We didn’t respond at all.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.