Jalen Brunson’s homecoming game in Chicago as a member of the Bulls’ 90’s rivals New York Knicks has to wait.
Brunson reportedly sat out Tuesday’s practice with a contused right foot after he was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle. Multiple reports cited Brunson is questionable to play on Wednesday’s game in Chicago.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson missed three games earlier this season with the same injury.
The Knicks have their next three games on the road — a back-to-back schedule in his hometown Chicago on Wednesday and Friday before wrapping it up in Indiana on Sunday.
If Brunson follows Williamson’s recovery timeline, he should be ready to play in their home game against Stephen Curry and the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors next week.
Brunson left the Knicks’ 112-99 win over Sacramento Kings last Sunday with 18 points on 7 of 14 shots, emerging from a two-game shooting slump. The Knicks initially announced it was a sore right foot. And Thibodeau later told reporters after the game that it was sprained ankle.
But as it turned out, the injury was far from severe.
“A foot contusion, or bruising of the foot, is a mild sports injury that can occur as a result of a direct impact to the foot. When a bruise or contusion occurs, the small blood vessels get damaged and blood leaks out under the skin causing the typical swelling and bruising seen in these injuries. While a foot contusion is uncomfortable and may temporarily make it difficult to walk or use your foot normally, it’s an injury that typically resolves quickly.”
via upswinghealth.com
Brunson is having a career season in his first year with the Knicks, averaging 20.1 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.1 steals.
Knicks’ top reserve guard Immanuel Quickley is poised to take Brunson’s place in the starting lineup, opening up spot minutes for Derrick Rose as he returns to his old stomping grounds where he rose to become the league’s youngest MVP.
Rose has been banished from the rotation during the Knicks’ four-game winning streak as the Knicks are shopping him ahead of the trade deadline.
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