Knicks’ Jalen Brunson out vs. Hawks, but MRI clean

Field Level Media|published: Tue 5th March, 19:32 2024

Mar 3, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) limps off the court in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. credits: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Brunson likely has avoided a serious knee injury, as New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters Tuesday that an MRI on Brunson's left knee came back clean.

Brunson nonetheless will sit out Tuesday night's game against the visiting Atlanta Hawks after hurting his knee on Sunday. The Knicks have called it a left knee contusion.

"It is a bruise, and it's a lot better than it was, but we just want to make sure that he's completely ready," Thibodeau said.

Brunson, 27, went down in the first minute of New York's 107-98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brunson took a pass from Donte DiVincenzo, but his left leg appeared to kick out awkwardly as he hoisted a shot over Isaac Okoro near the foul line 31 seconds after the opening tip. Brunson hopped for a couple steps and grabbed his lower left leg before falling beyond the 3-point line.

A first-time All-Star this season, Brunson has career-high averages in points (27.2) and assists (6.6) over 57 games, all starts.

—Field Level Media