The Knicks got more good news on Jalen Brunson‘s knee. An MRI on the injured area came back clean, coach Tom Thibodeau told Newsday’s Steve Popper (Twitter link) and other media members.
Brunson, who didn’t play against the Hawks on Tuesday, was diagnosed with a left knee contusion after colliding with teammate Isaiah Hartenstein in the opening minute of New York’s win over Cleveland on Sunday. It initially looked much worse. The Knicks’ All-Star guard was helped off the court after attempting a mid-range shot and did not return.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Bojan Bogdanovic and Donte DiVincenzo combined for 48 points after Brunson left Sunday’s game and snapped out of shooting slumps. They were aided by crisp ball movement, Jared Schwartz of the New York Post notes, as the Knicks had 32 assists on Sunday, the most they had recorded since Dec. 11.
- Sixers star guard Tyrese Maxey has entered the league’s concussion protocol, as relayed by ESPN’s news services. He was diagnosed with a mild concussion, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Maxey hit his head against the knee of Mavericks forward Derrick Jones in the third quarter of Sunday’s win and was subbed out, though he did eventually return.
- Kyle Lowry, who has taken over as the Sixers’ starting point guard, doesn’t want to reflect on his career accomplishments until he retires, he told Pompey. “Of course, I know what they are,” Lowry said. “I’ve never sat down and really thought about the things that I’ve done. I just continue to live in the moment where I can’t think about what I’ve done, what is there to do, you know? ‘Do you want to win a couple more championships or whatever I can win?’ But I never sat back and thought about it yet. The reason is because I’m still playing.”
Where’s the guy from the other day who said there was no way that Brunson’s injury was just a bone bruise? lol. Very glad this turned out to be a relatively minor injury. Knicks just need to get healthy and they can compete with almost anyone in the East.
A fully healthy team and I’d say the only teams that the Knicks would (likely) lose to would be Boston, Milwaukee, and Denver from the west. I know much has been made about the bench being depleted due to trades, but when healthy the bench (currently the starters) can do more than keep the team in the game. Could be a differentiator. They’ve stepped up.
Just a party right now for Knick fans …. Just wait until the 2024 draft …. DaJaun Wagner (a Kentucky guy) has his draft stock barely holding on to the first-round …. One thing Wagner knows for sure …. Any pick the Knicks have after #20 will have his name on it.