The Knicks are going to be with out Jalen Brunson on Friday towards the Clippers.
Brunson was dominated out after struggling an ankle sprain Thursday night time within the 113-109 additional time loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles, in keeping with The Publish’s Stefan Bondy — and it’ll mark his second missed recreation of the season, together with the Knicks’ Jan. 1 loss to the Jazz.
His preliminary X-rays Thursday got here again unfavourable, and it’s believed he underwent additional checks Friday.
The Knicks (40-22) face the Clippers on Friday night time within the second recreation of a back-to-back set at Crypto.com Enviornment, and also will be with out middle Mitchell Robinson as they ease him again in after a 10-month harm layoff.
“Obviously it’s a bummer of an injury. We’ve got to expect him to be out for a little bit,” Josh Hart stated Thursday of Hart. “We’ve got guys. Now we have to step up. Other guys’ roles are going to be bigger. There’s more opportunity. Keep it afloat until he comes back, be aggressive, go out there and compete.”
Brunson suffered his harm in additional time whereas driving to the ring when he landed awkwardly, along with his proper ankle turning at an uncommon angle.
He stayed within the recreation to hit two free throws which tied the sport at 107-107 with 1:24 remaining in additional time earlier than exiting the court docket.
Shedding Brunson for any stretch is a tricky blow for the Knicks because the All-Star guard is averaging a team-best 26.1 factors, 7.4 assists and three.0 rebounds per recreation.
Brunson carried the load offensively down the stretch within the fourth quarter and in additional time Thursday whereas the groups traded buckets, and the Knicks are closely reliant on his excellence.
Miles McBride will probably obtain a bump in taking part in time with Brunson sidelined and he’s averaging 9.0 factors, 2.5 rebounds and a couple of.6 assists per recreation.
Extra will likely be anticipated to Karl-Anthony Cities together with the inconsistent Mikal Bridges, who had simply six factors and disappeared late within the loss to the Lakers.
Friday’s recreation additionally marks second contest of this five-game West Coast journey, with upcoming video games towards the Kings on March 10, the Path Blazers on March 12 and the Warriors on March 15.
The Knicks are 3 ½ video games forward of the Bucks for the No. 3 seed within the East, however are actually 4 ½ video games behind the Celtics for the No. 2 seed.
