LOS ANGELES — Jalen Brunson was out of the Knicks’ lineup Saturday in opposition to the Clippers, however there at the least was some favorable harm information in regards to the staff’s start line guard.
Brunson underwent X-rays that got here again unfavourable on his sore left foot, Tom Thibodeau mentioned earlier than the sport.
He’s doing “a bit higher” and has been listed as day-to-day, the Knicks’ coach added.
“When he’s wholesome sufficient, he goes,” Thibodeau mentioned. “So simply do the rehab, speak to the medical individuals and when he will get cleared, he’s cleared after which he’ll play.”
Thibodeau added that Brunson’s harm has been recognized as a bruise, however he mentioned it’s a “totally different” harm to the one which saved beginning taking pictures guard Quentin Grimes out and in of the lineup in coaching camp and initially of the common season.
The Knicks additionally face the Lakers on Sunday in Los Angeles and the Path Blazers on Tuesday in Portland, earlier than returning dwelling to play the Nuggets on Saturday at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Second-year guard Miles McBride has returned to the rotation since Brunson suffered the foot harm, however he had logged simply 28 mixed minutes over the earlier three video games.
“Deuce has actually had good minutes for us all 12 months. So it’s a chance for him to achieve extra expertise. However simply belief the sport. The sport’s gonna let you know what to do,” Thibodeau mentioned. “However he’s at all times prepared.
“I’ve loads of confidence in him as a result of I see the quantity of labor that he places in every single day. And he was within the rotation previous to the commerce [for Josh Hart], and I assumed he did a superb job throughout that stretch. In order that was necessary for him. However that hasn’t modified his strategy every single day in observe and at any time when he’s been known as upon, he’s been able to go.
Backup middle Isaiah Hartenstein appeared on the staff’s harm report Friday with a sore left ankle, however he was out there to play.
He and Julius Randle have been the one Knicks to seem in every of the staff’s first 69 video games.
“This time of the 12 months, you could have loads of guys which might be nicked up,” Thibodeau mentioned. “That’s a part of it, however he’s nice.”
Sixth man Norman Powell was out for the Clippers with a shoulder harm.
