New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 right ankle sprain and will miss the team’s game Friday night at home against the Miami Heat, according to ESPN.
Brunson supported the injury at the end of the Knicks’ 124-107 loss to the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden Wednesday evening. Brunson had 31 points and six assists in 37 minutes before leaving the game. Last season, Brunson also missed time on the field with an ankle injury.
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The Knicks are currently tied for first place (7-4) in the Atlantic Division with the Philadelphia 76ers. They are also tied for third place in the East, in what many analysts consider a wide-open conference. After Friday night’s game at MSG with the Heat, the Knicks begin a five-game road trip to Miami on Monday.
Friday will be Brunson’s first missed game of the season, and he’s off to a strong start, averaging 28 points, 6.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. Last season, Brunson led the Knicks to 51 wins and the franchise’s first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since the 1999-2000 season. Brunson even earned Clutch Player of the Year honors for his frequent late-game heroics during the regular season.
Since joining the Knicks in 2022, Brunson has played in more than 68 games just once and missed a total of 17 last season. Given the delicate nature of ankle injuries, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brunson is out beyond Friday’s game against the Heat. Guards Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson will need to step up and fill the void left by Brunson’s absence.
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The next chapter of The Heat-Knicks rivalry begins Friday with an NBA Cup group stage game at 7 p.m. ET from Madison Square Garden and broadcast on Main video.
