Jalen Brunson’s damage is now formally a priority.
The Knicks level guard was dominated out of Saturday’s matinee towards the Clippers due to a “sore foot,” the identical ailment that stored him out of the second half in Thursday’s loss to the Kings.
Brunson had missed two earlier video games this week with the sore left foot, and it wasn’t a great signal that his return in Sacramento lasted simply 19 minutes. The purpose guard moved and performed effectively within the 122-117 loss to the King whereas dropping 19 factors.
However he was additionally in clear discomfort and noticed limping to the locker room with coach Anthony Goenaga. The Knicks are in the midst of a Western Convention journey with back-to-back video games this weekend towards the Clippers and Lakers.
“Once you’re coping with a bruised foot like that, it’ll really feel nice when you could have a bit of time without work – which Brunson has had,” TNT analyst Stan Van Gundy, a longtime coach who's shut with Thibodeau, mentioned through the broadcast. “However then while you’re again on it, pounding on it, it comes proper again. And that might find yourself being a long-term factor. And the Knicks actually wish to keep away from that. However on the identical, they’re nonetheless in a struggle for playoff place.”
Thibodeau, whose No. 5 Knicks have been only a recreation above the No. 6 Nets within the East earlier than Friday night time’s outcomes, offered one other non-update to reporters after the Sacramento recreation.
Thibodeau has solely supplied imprecise descriptions in regards to the damage.
“He simply reaggravated it, however I haven’t talked to the medical individuals but,” the Knicks coach supplied. “Simply soreness. We’ve acquired to let the medical individuals do their job.”
Brunson has missed six video games this season. Earlier than the foot ache, he handled minor accidents whereas absorbing the heaviest workload — by far — of his NBA profession. Two days earlier than Brunson’s sore foot was first introduced, he turned his ankle towards the Miami Warmth. He additionally missed three video games in December with a sore hip. There generally is a bodily tax to being the lead guard — a job Brunson didn’t have in Dallas alongside Luka Doncic — and now, with a month remaining within the season, could be a foul time for his physique to pay up.
But it surely’s higher than through the playoffs.
Thibodeau, in the meantime, has lauded New York’s depth and his squad recovered in Sacramento from a 16-point halftime deficit to tie the sport within the fourth quarter. However Brunson’s alternative at level guard, Immanuel Quickley, was ice chilly (he shot 1-for-11) and the Knicks (39-29) ran out of fuel for a second straight loss.
Their worst defensive possession occurred with about 5 minutes remaining when Julius Randle and RJ Barrett stood as if touched in freeze tag as Sacramento’s Kevin Huerter drove into the lane and tipped in his personal miss.
Thibodeau responded by benching Barrett, which was rapidly adopted by Sacramento’s game-breaking 9-0 run.
In opposition to the Clippers on Saturday afternoon with out Brunson, the Knicks are attempting to keep away from their first three-game dropping streak since January.
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