All things considered, this was probably the best-case scenario for Jalen Brunson.
He suffered a Grade 1 right ankle sprain during the Knicks’ 124-107 loss to the Magic Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, per a league source. He will miss the team’s game against the Heat at MSG on Friday and will be evaluated daily moving forward.Â
Grade 1 is the mildest type of sprain. Last year, Brunson sprained that same right ankle in March and ended up being out for just under a month, missing 15 games.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) injures his ankle against the Magic on Nov. 12, 2025. JASON SZENES FOR NY POST
The Knicks went 9-6 in those 15 games. The hope is that this time around will not be as long.
Brunson sustained the injury during garbage time in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game.Â
Trailing by 16 with just 1:54 left, Brunson drove to the rim and tried to plant his right foot while going up for a layup. But his ankle twisted on Wendell Carter Jr.’s foot, and he fell to the ground.
He was fouled on the play and took both free throws, but before going to the line, he looked over to the Knicks bench and shook his head.
Immediately after taking the free throws, Brunson exited and went into the tunnel.
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He had 31 points and six assists before exiting and has enjoyed a stellar start to the season while adjusting to coach Mike Brown’s new system.
He is averaging 28.0 points and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from 3-point range.
Jalen Brunson falls to the court in pain after injuring his right ankle during the Knicks’ loss to the Magic. JASON SZENES FOR NY POST
After Friday’s clash, the Knicks face a five-game road trip. Wednesday’s loss snapped a five-game winning streak and marked the Knicks’ first loss at MSG this season.