Jalen Brunson left the Knicks’ road game in Sacramento after a clumsy step forced him onto his right ankle. The guard, averaging 28.9 points per contest, limped off at the 7:01 mark of the first quarter and was ruled out at halftime. He contributed four points before exiting.

Brunson’s setback echoes two prior ankle sprains—mid‑November against Orlando and a March twist versus the Lakers that sidelined him for weeks. Meanwhile, forward Josh Hart rejoined the lineup after an eight‑game absence, helping New York maintain a 25‑14 record and second place in the Eastern Conference despite a grueling road stretch.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau now faces a back‑to‑back challenge, traveling to San Francisco to meet the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Without Brunson, New York will rely on secondary scorers and Hart’s rebounding to stay competitive. Observers will watch whether the injury forces a tactical shift or accelerates the search for a reliable backup point guard.