The last time Jalen Brunson was listed as questionable on the Knicks’ injury report, he didn’t miss a game, playing Nov. 27 against Memphis despite a quad injury.
The Knicks and their starting point guard are hoping the same will be true Wednesday night in Chicago in the first of two road games in three days against the Bulls. Brunson didn’t practice Tuesday aside from some “light shooting,” but he’s “feeling better” and has been listed as questionable with what the Knicks now are calling a right foot contusion suffered in Sunday’s home win over the Kings.
Brunson left that game in the fourth quarter with what Tom Thibodeau initially described as a sprained ankle after Sacramento’s Davion Mitchell landed on his lower leg.
“Injuries are part of the game. So we’re hopeful that it works out fine,” Thibodeau said after Tuesday’s practice in Tarrytown. “[Brunson] takes great care of himself. I think that’s a big plus.”
Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson suffered a foot injury during a game against the Kings on Dec. 11, 2022. Robert SaboIf Brunson is unable to play for the first time this season, Thibodeau could elevate Immanuel Quickley or Miles McBride to the starting lineup. Derrick Rose and/or Cam Reddish also could rejoin the rotation after sitting out the past four games.
“There [are] a lot of options,” Thibodeau said. “The thing is there’s great versatility. There [are] guys who have played a lot with the starters and there [are] some starters that have played a lot with the bench.
“So just get in there and get the job done and the next guys, whether it’s Deuce [McBride] or Quick, Derrick, they’ve all had experience with the starters so I’m confident with their ability.”
Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson is tended to after suffering an injury against the Kings on Dec. 11, 2022. Robert SaboThe Knicks will play two games in three days in Chicago, a scheduling wrinkle the NBA has added to cut down on traveling and back-to-back games.
“It’s gonna be interesting. Who does that a lot, is it baseball that does that? Yeah, so it’ll be cool, going there for two games,” RJ Barrett said.
“I like it. It’s different. It’s playing the same team twice. I think it’s good for us,” Thibodeau added. “That’s the challenge of the schedule… The challenge is one game at a time, be ready to play; whatever they tell you that you have to do, you do. The end of the day it’s going to be 41 home games [and] 41 away games.”
