Jalen Brunson, a top player for the New York Knicks, suffered a broken left hand in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. The injury happened when a Pacers player made a quick move for the ball in the third quarter, leading to Brunson exiting the game with 3:02 left. In spite of being injured, Brunson still scored 17 points while making 6 out of 17 shots. Departure of Jalen Brunson was the last hit in a string of injuries for the Knicks.
Knicks Battle Through Injuries
The Knicks were missing several important players like Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Bojan Bogdanovic. OG Anunoby attempted to come back in Game 7 after missing several games because of a hamstring injury, but he was only able to play for five minutes. Despite dealing with an abdominal strain, Josh Hart managed to score 10 points, grab eight rebounds, and provide five assists. Even with the obstacles, coach Tom Thibodeau commended the team’s hard work, stating, “They gave it their all until the very end.”
What’s Next for the Knicks?
The Knicks concluded the season with a 50-32 record, marking their strongest performance in ten years. Yet, the offseason presents challenging choices. The team may lose some free agents, such as OG Anunoby, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alec Burks. Possibilities for key players such as Brunson and Randle to receive extensions are being considered as well. Having the No. 24 and 25 picks in the upcoming draft gives the Knicks financial flexibility. But their title hopes for next season will heavily rely on their players’ health.
The Knicks displayed potential this year, and with a stronger lineup, a more extensive postseason is achievable.
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