CLEVELAND – It was the scariest scene possible for Knicks fans: Jalen Brunson leaving the court with an apparent non-contact injury.
Brunson, the point guard who held the Knicks together all season, rose for a jumper and appeared to be in pain as he lifted off, landing with shock and discomfort on his face before throwing up an airball in the opening minute of Sunday’s 107-98 win over the Cavaliers.
The sight was much more frightening than the official update from the Knicks, who, in the middle of the second quarter, called Brunson “questionable” to return with a sore left knee.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game that Brunson has a knee contusion and X-rays were negative.
The origin of the injury remained unclear as Brunson sat for the remainder of the first half, never re-emerging from the locker room.
Although he was untouched by defender Isaac Okoro while lifting for the jumper, an extended replay showed Brunson banged his leg on Isaiah Hartenstein as he ran around the screen.
He elevated in pain on the same possession, a few seconds after the collision with Hartenstein.
Brunson limped to the 3-point line, held his knee/shin area and called for a sub.
A trainer emerged and helped carry Brunson off the court, along with teammate Precious Achiuwa.
Brunson couldn’t put weight on his left foot, which gave way as he was helped into the locker room.
The Knicks announced Brunson has a sore left knee and is questionable to return.
A prolonged absence from Brunson would be a disaster for the Knicks, who are already down Julius Randle and OG Anunoby because of injuries.
But neither is as important as Brunson, who is the team’s leading scorer and putting together a season worthy of All-NBA consideration.
He entered the night averaging 27.7 points and 6.7 assists, less than a month removed from his first All-Star appearance.
The 27-year-old Brunson has played in 57 of a possible 60 games this season despite two sprained ankles earlier in the season.
Miles McBride subbed out Brunson and played the remainder of the first quarter.
The Knicks are already in the process of signing pending free agent Shake Milton, a point guard who was recently waived by the Pistons.
But Milton couldn’t begin to replace Brunson with 22 games remaining in the season. The Knicks entered Sunday fourth in the East but just 1 ½ games out of the eighth seed, setting up the potential of a quick collapse if Brunson is out for a while.
Before the game, Cleveland coach JB Bickerstaff explained how the Knicks’ offense goes through their point guard.
“Without Randle it’s a lot of Jalen Brunson, not that he wasn’t heavily involved, but the majority of their stuff goes through him and obviously he’s proven that he’s capable of carrying a team,” Bickerstaff said.
