New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson left the 124-107 loss to the Orlando Magic early on Wednesday night due to an ankle injury late in the game. Brunson was driving to the basket just inside the two-minute mark and picked up a foul, but he crashed to the court awkwardly under the rim. Brunson’s right ankle rolled hard as he was trying to get around Wendell Carter Jr. in the paint, and he was clearly in pain as he got up and limped his way to the free-throw line.
While Brunson remained in the game to shoot his free throws, he picked up a quick foul immediately after and then walked straight off the court to the locker room. He did not return.
Brunson finished with 31 points and six assists in the loss for the Knicks, which marked their first defeat at home so far this season. Brunson was later diagnosed with an ankle sprain, and will miss the Knicks’s NBA Cup game against the Miami Heat on Friday before be re-evaluated daily.
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The Magic led nearly the entire way on Wednesday night, and took a 20-point lead into the locker room at halftime. Franz Wagner with 28 points and nine rebounds, and Desmond Bane added 22 points and eight assists.
The Magic lost star Paolo Banchero early due to a groin injury, with Banchero leaving the game midway through the second quarter. After the game, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said only that he’d be evaluated again when the team gets back to Florida.
On Thursday, tests confirmed that Banchero had been diagnosed with a left groin strain, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Banchero will reportedly miss Friday’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets and will be evaluated day-to-day after that. After hosting the Nets, the Magic fly out to Houston for a matchup with the Rockets on Sunday.
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Banchero finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the game, which was taking place on his 23rd birthday. He played just 12 minutes.
Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds to go with Brunson’s 31-point performance. They were the only starters to hit double figures for the Knicks. Landry Shamet added 11 points off the bench, and Josh Hart finished with 10 points.
The Knicks, who were on a five-game win streak before the loss, will host the Miami Heat on Friday.