Jalen Brunson plowed through on defense for the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. That accomplished, he proceeded to lead his new squad to a runaway win over the Dallas Mavericks. After a brief time away from the Department of Education, he came back. In that span, he was tested every day for the ankle injury he incurred on November 12. The surprisingly successful 8-5 Knicks team certainly could have used Brunson back. Prior to his injury, he was putting up crazy numbers including 28 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game.
His miss was most evident in the two invaluable games vs Miami Heat, where he was sorely missed. Initially deemed a two-week injury, his recovery took longer than anticipated as he sat out additional games before rejoining the lineup for the playoffs. Naturally, fans and analysts alike are worried about Brunson going down again. He sat out 15 games last season recovering from a similar ankle sprain, which only makes this news all the more alarming.
Late in the game against the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Jalen Brunson went down with an ankle sprain. He was going to the rim with under two minutes remaining in the game when the injury happened. This bitter fate was similar to his last year-ending injury from 2021, in which he struggled when doing so after coming back to play. Brunson was visibly annoyed at times by his injury throughout the first round of the playoffs. He proved to be extraordinarily mentally tough and a competitor, leading New York to the Eastern Conference finals.
Upon his return on Wednesday, Brunson showcased his offensive prowess and seemed largely unbothered by the lingering effects of his injury. Not only was his play dazzling, but his confidence-oozing performance ignited his teammates and uplifted their collective focus. It further entrenched him as the Knicks’ most important on-court cog. His scoring ability, as well as his playmaking skills, were essential for the collective win over the Mavs. He was exceptional as a defender, directing everyone while single handedly taking charge of the paint.
What’s more, the Knicks have heavily leaned on Brunson’s scoring and leadership ever since they brought him aboard. His unique playmaking wizardry is what truly pops. Combined with his scoring average of 28 points per game, he’s been an irreplaceable player. Relatedly, allowing him to bounce back. Fans and analysts alike are on the edge of their seats to see how he can continue to stay healthy the rest of the season.
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