For a change, the New York Knicks brought in All-Star guard Jalen Brunson.
After watching Brunson go down with a bruised left knee in the first quarter Sunday night, the Knicks rallied to a 107-98 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers that further demonstrated New York's toughness and unity. .
Brunson, who averages 27.2 points per game, was injured attempting a jump shot over Cleveland's Isaac Okoro in the first minute. Brunson came off a screen near the foul, got up without any contact and fell to the ground.
After the game, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said X-rays of Brunson's knee were negative, a report that brought relief to New York fans.
“It's a bruise on the knee,” Thibodeau said, relaxed. “He hit his knees. That's what happened. They took x-rays, he was examined by the doctor. Everything was negative. We'll see where he is tomorrow.”
On the play, Brunson, 27, threw an aerial ball and his legs broke awkwardly as he fell back down. He staggered toward the 3-point line before falling to the ground while clutching his left leg in obvious pain.
Brunson sat on the floor as the game continued and stood up briefly before limping to the bench and falling back down. A replay showed that early on New York's first possession, Brunson bumped knees with Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein as he walked past his teammate who was setting a screen for him.
Brunson did not return to the bench and was not seen after the game. The Knicks host Atlanta on Tuesday night.
Brunson, an elite scorer, has kept the Knicks together during a rough patch of injuries. They have been without starters Julius Randle (shoulder), center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and guard OG Anunoby (elbow), who made the trip and are close to returning.
Josh Hart scored a triple-double (13 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists) and Miles McBride replaced Brunson and played the final 47 minutes for New York, finishing with 16 points and hitting a game-clinching 3-pointer with 33 seconds left. .
Donte DiVincenzo led the Knicks with 28 points in 39 minutes.
Brunson is in his second season with the Knicks, who signed him to a four-year, $104 million contract as a free agent in 2022. Brunson spent his first four NBA seasons with the Dallas Mavericks.
Information from The Associated Press.
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