The night in Sacramento quickly turned into a nightmare for the New York Knicks. Beyond the 112-101 loss to the Kings, New York almost immediately lost its leader. Jalen Brunson suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter and was forced to leave the game after just five minutes of action.

It all happened early in the opening period, when Brunson landed awkwardly after catching a pass. He tried to stay on the floor, but after a few possessions it was clear he couldn’t continue. The medical staff initially listed him as “questionable” before removing all doubt at halftime: his night was over.

After the game, the Knicks provided no official update on Brunson’s ankle. The player left the arena without speaking to the media, though there were a few encouraging signs: no brace, no walking boot, and no obvious limp as he made his way through the tunnel toward the parking area.

Still, the clinical uncertainty remains. To assess the severity of the injury, X-rays will be needed to rule out fractures, along with an MRI to determine the grade of the sprain.

As is well known, recovery timelines depend on severity:

  • Grade I: 1–2 weeks
  • Grade II: 3–6 weeks
  • Grade III: 6–12 weeks

A framework that inevitably raises concern in New York, especially given the player’s recent history.

A déjà vu that worries the Knicks

Brunson’s right ankle is not unfamiliar territory for the Knicks’ medical staff. Back in November, he already missed two games with a similar issue against Orlando, while last season he was sidelined for nearly a month after a sprain suffered against the Lakers in March. Not to mention the foot issues that lingered during last year’s playoff run all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.

For that reason, even in the absence of official updates, the level of attention remains extremely high: Brunson’s central role in New York’s offensive system makes any absence a potentially decisive factor.

Brown pulls no punches: “One of the worst games of the year”

Without his leadership, the Knicks looked disorganized and unable to respond. Head coach Mike Brown made that point bluntly in the postgame, clearly frustrated:

We didn’t respond. We didn’t respond at all… it was one of the worst games, if not the worst, that we’ve played all season.

Mike Brown

Strong words that underline how much Brunson’s sudden absence affected the team mentally as well.

The schedule, however, offers no relief. After playing five of their last six games on the road, the Knicks will now fly to San Francisco to face the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. With or without Brunson, an immediate response will be required.