New York Knicks Guard's Status Uncertain For Game 3

The New York Knicks are embroiled in a tightly contested second-round series with the Miami Heat, and they may not be able to rely on one of their leading scorers. Head coach Tom Thibodeau revealed to reporters on Thursday that Jalen Brunson was hobbled by an ankle injury and is considered day-to-day.

Thibs says Jalen Brunson didn’t do much at practice today. He is day to day.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 4, 2023

Brunson scored a team-high 30 points on an efficient 10 of 19 field goal attempts in the Knicks' crucial 111-105 Game 2 win over Heat. He was less effective in Game 1, scoring 25 points on 11 of 23 field goal attempts in a 108-101 loss.

Brunson has been a revelation since joining the Knicks as a free agent last offseason, scoring a career-high 24.0 points per game over 68 appearances in the 2022-23 season. His arrival has elevated the Knicks back to relevance after a disappointing 2021-22 season that resulted in a 37-45 record; the Knicks' presence in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals is their deepest playoff run since 2013, and their win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round was only their second series win since 2000.

The Knicks and the Heat are currently tied up at 1-1, but the two teams are set to face off in Miami for the next two games. If Brunson is at all diminished for the remainder of the series, the Knicks may struggle to keep up with a Heat squad that scored a massive upset over the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Jimmy Butler has been arguably the NBA's most dominant player this postseason, averaging 35.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game with a stellar .662 true shooting percentage. However, he has his own ankle injury that cost him Game 2. The series may come down to which team's top stars can manage their injuries better.

The Knicks and Heat face off for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM ET.