A season can always turn with an ankle — especially when it’s Jalen Brunson’s. 

Witnesses reported Brunson leaving MSG with a walking boot and crutches less than an hour after he turned his right ankle in garbage time of a 124-107 loss to the Magic. 

The Knicks were trailing by 16 with 1:54 remaining when Brunson drove to the hoop and planted his foot. His ankle was unable to withstand the momentum and twisted. Brunson was fouled on the play and took his free throws, but then immediately left the game and retreated to the tunnel. 

The time and score left Mike Brown open to criticism for keeping Brunson on the court when the outcome wasn’t in doubt. The coach had said in preseason that he’d empty the bench and wave the white flag earlier this season, which felt like a departure from Tom Thibodeau’s style of playing his starters deep into garbage time. 

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives to the basket and appears to have injured his leg in the second half at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, November 12, 2025. JASON SZENES FOR NY POST

But Brown kept his best players on the court when it didn’t matter. And his best one might’ve been injured. 

Brunson did not speak to reporters and the Knicks provided no official injury status, other than a non-update from Brown in his postgame presser. 

“He turned his right ankle,” Brown said. “That’s all I know.” 

Jalen Brunson grabs his leg after driving to the basket. JASON SZENES FOR NY POST

Brunson wasn’t in the locker room when media were allowed inside. Josh Hart, who was benched for the entire fourth quarter of the loss, said he had not spoken to his buddy. 

“I have no idea,” Hart said. “I’m dealing with my own stuff.” 

Brunson badly sprained the same ankle toward the end of last season, putting him out for about a month. The Knicks went 9-6 while Brunson recovered, with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges upping their production. 

But the Knicks obviously want Brunson available, especially as they try to establish a new system. Wednesday night was a setback even before Brunson’s injury, with the Knicks getting outmuscled by the feisty Magic and only managing 42 points in the first half. 

“They kicked our ass. It’s as simple as that,” Brown said. “They came out with a physical presence that we didn’t handle well.” 

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The Knicks got their butts whooped and then their All-Star left on crutches, a development that was preventable by not playing Brunson in garbage time. 

Before the injury, Brunson was struggling to fight through the powerful and big defenders of the Magic. He scored 31 points but much of the offense was bogged down in isolation. 

Against Orlando, the Knicks met a stout defense and they went from a Ferrari to a used hatchback. 

At least for a half. 

By the time New York’s offense woke up at halftime, it was too late and its five-game winning streak was snapped, handing the Knicks (7-3) their first defeat at home. 

The Knicks had just battered two underwhelming and overmatched opponents, the Grizzlies and Nets, and neither looked like they belonged on the same court. Brown’s squad utterly dominated. 

But the Magic (6-6) are a different caliber. Despite a disappointing start to their season, they carry a goal of competing for a spot in the Finals. They sacrificed multiple first-round picks to acquire Desmond Bane for that purpose. They’re physical and defend with size, with three starters — Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Wendell Carter Jr. — all at least 6-foot-10. 

The Magic flexed that advantage. 

“We didn’t respond the way we should have,” Knicks guard Miles McBride said. “You can blame it on the back-to-back, excuses, but there’s none of that. They flat-out kicked our ass. 

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson walks back to the locker room. JASON SZENES FOR NY POST

“We need to exceed [their physicality]. Be more physical at the point of attack for defense. Finish plays. They outrebounded us way too many times and got second-chance points and you’ve gotta take care of those little things. On offense, you’ve gotta screen harder, cut harder, move the defense so they can’t be as physical.” 

From the Knicks, there was more complaining to the referees than usual from the entire squad, more fouling and less ball movement. 

But most concerningly, the star turned his troublesome ankle.