Jalen Brunson sustained a knee injury during the opening possession of Sunday’s game, yet the Knicks managed to secure a crucial victory against the second-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers.
Key Points:
- Brunson’s injury occurred early in the game.
- The Knicks’ star point guard appeared to be in discomfort after attempting a mid-range pull-up jumper at the start of the game.
- Prior to Brunson’s injury, the Knicks were already missing key players Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson due to various injuries.
- Head coach Tom Thibodeau turned to backup point guard Miles McBride, who played an extensive 47 minutes and contributed 16 points and five assists, including four three-pointers.
- Cleveland also faced challenges as All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell was sidelined for the second consecutive game due to a knee injury.
- In Brunson’s absence, guard Donte DiVincenzo and forward Bojan Bogdanovic stepped up offensively for the Knicks.
- DiVincenzo led the scoring with 28 points, sinking six three-pointers, while Bogdanovic contributed 20 points off the bench on 8-of-15 shooting from the field.
Sam Merrill drained seven three-pointers for the Cavaliers, yet none of Cleveland’s starters managed to score 20 points against the Knicks.
Former All-Star point guard Darius Garland contributed 19 points, shooting five-of-eight from beyond the arc. However, Knicks forward Josh Hart recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists during the game in Cleveland on Sunday.
Isaiah Hartenstein, despite dealing with left Achilles tendinopathy, played for 23 minutes and tallied eight points, seven rebounds, and eight assists. The Knicks clinched a victory after losing eight of their last 11 games leading up to Sunday night.
New York faces a tougher schedule ahead, with five of their next seven opponents holding records above .500.
Following Sunday’s win against the Cavaliers, the Knicks’ record stands at 13-23 against teams with winning records.
Despite the victory, the Knicks remain the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, while Cleveland slides to No. 3. The Milwaukee Bucks have climbed to the second spot after Sunday’s games.
Entering Monday’s matchups, the Knicks hold a half-game lead over the Philadelphia 76ers, who are missing MVP center Joel Embiid due to meniscus surgery. They also have a one-game advantage over the Orlando Magic, a one-and-a-half-game lead over the Miami Heat, and a 2.5-game cushion over the Indiana Pacers. Additionally, they maintain a 7.5-game margin over the ninth-place Chicago Bulls.
Up next, the Knicks will face the tenth-place Atlanta Hawks, who are without All-Star guard Trae Young, sidelined for a month with a hand injury. This game marks the start of a four-game homestand at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks will also host the Orlando Magic and play the Philadelphia 76ers twice within three days.
Following the homestand, the Knicks will embark on a four-game road trip, facing the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets.
OG Anunoby is expected to rejoin New York’s rotation in mid-to-late March. However, if Jalen Brunson remains sidelined for an extended period due to his knee injury suffered on Sunday, the Knicks may face significant challenges without their floor general.