Heartbreak in LA! Knicks Lose in OT as Brunson Exits with Injury

The New York Knicks suffered a heartbreaking 113-109 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night, but the real concern is the health of Jalen Brunson. The star point guard left the game in the final moments of overtime after suffering a right ankle injury, leaving Knicks fans holding their breath.

Brunson Shines Before Injury Strikes

Brunson was nothing short of spectacular before his injury, carrying the Knicks with 39 points and 10 assists in 41 minutes of play. He was aggressive, efficient, and the clear leader on the court, keeping the Knicks ahead for most of the game.

But with just over a minute left in overtime, disaster struck. Brunson drove to the basket and landed awkwardly on Lakers guard Austin Reaves’s foot. He immediately grimaced in pain but showed his toughness by sinking two free throws to tie the game before limping off to the locker room.

How Serious Is Brunson’s Injury?

The Knicks have not yet provided a full diagnosis of Brunson’s injury, but initial reports suggest it may be a sprained ankle. The severity will determine how long he’ll be out, but any absence could be a major setback for New York, which has relied heavily on his scoring and leadership all season.

Josh Hart, a close friend and teammate, voiced his concerns after the game.

“It’s a bummer of an injury,” Hart said. “We’ve got to expect him to be out for a little bit, so other guys have to step up.”

Lakers Rally for OT Victory

The Knicks seemed to be in control late in the fourth quarter, holding a 10-point lead with under seven minutes left. But LeBron James and the Lakers had other plans.

James took over in crunch time, finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Luka Doncic also delivered a dominant performance, racking up 32 points and 12 assists. The Lakers forced overtime with clutch three-pointers from James and Gabe Vincent before pulling away in the extra period.

Who Will Step Up for the Knicks?

With Brunson potentially sidelined, the Knicks will need others to rise to the occasion. OG Anunoby added 20 points against the Lakers, while Josh Hart recorded a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 12 points and 14 rebounds but struggled to assert himself offensively.

One name to watch is Miles McBride. The young guard has stepped in for Brunson before, averaging 16.2 points and shooting 41.3% from the field when starting in his place. However, the Knicks only managed a 1-4 record in those games.

What’s Next for the Knicks?

The Knicks, now 40-22 in the season, have no time to dwell on the loss. They face the Los Angeles Clippers in their next matchup, and with Brunson’s status uncertain, the team will need a collective effort to stay competitive.

For now, Knicks fans anxiously await an update on their star point guard, hoping his injury isn’t as bad as it looked. If Brunson is forced to miss extended time, the road ahead could get much tougher for New York.