Jalen Brunson’s right ankle—already a familiar storyline for New York Knicks fans—once again took center stage Wednesday night in Sacramento. The All-Star point guard’s early exit sent shockwaves through the team as the Knicks struggled to find their rhythm against the Kings, raising new questions about their playoff push and Brunson’s ongoing health.
The incident occurred just halfway through the first quarter of the Knicks’ road matchup against the Sacramento Kings on January 14, 2026. With 7:45 left in the opening period, Brunson twisted his right ankle near the three-point line while dribbling. There was no defender in sight; he simply planted his foot, and it turned awkwardly—a non-contact injury that immediately had Knicks fans holding their breath. Brunson managed to play a few more possessions, notching two early baskets—a driving floater and a layup—before limping off the floor and heading straight to the locker room. At the time, New York trailed 16-8, and the mood in the building shifted palpably.
“You don’t like seeing that, looks like it’s no contact, just on his own little tweak then,” a commentator observed, echoing the concern felt throughout the Knicks’ bench and among fans watching at home. The official word from the team was quick to follow: “Knicks say Jalen Brunson (right ankle) is questionable to return to tonight’s game.” Despite initial hopes, Brunson was ultimately ruled out for the remainder of the contest after spending a chunk of the first half on the bench, his night limited to just five minutes and four points.
Brunson’s injury history with his right ankle is well documented. Last season, a similar sprain sidelined him for a month. Earlier this season, in November, he missed two games due to a Grade-1 sprain on the same ankle. The recurring nature of these setbacks is a growing cause for concern, especially as the Knicks look to solidify their position as contenders in the Eastern Conference. “Ankle-related setbacks aren’t anything new to Brunson. The sharpshooter has missed his fair share of games since last season due to ankle sprains, raising a real cause for concern as he went down on Wednesday,” reported Newsweek Sports.
Brunson’s impact on the Knicks this year has been nothing short of monumental. Entering Wednesday’s game, he was averaging a career-high 28.9 points per game, along with 6.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds. His shooting splits have been equally impressive: 48 percent from the field and nearly 39 percent from beyond the arc. The reigning NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson has also ranked second in first-quarter scoring at 10.2 points per period—setting the tone for New York’s offense night after night.
The Knicks, who came into the game with a 25-14 record and the second seed in the Eastern Conference, have leaned heavily on Brunson’s leadership and production. Since capturing the NBA Cup in Las Vegas, however, the team’s form has dipped, going 7-7 overall and just 2-5 over their last seven games. The loss of their franchise guard only compounded their recent struggles, as New York found themselves trailing 32-17 at the end of the first quarter and 56-42 at halftime. Without Brunson, the Knicks shot just 31.9 percent from the field in the opening period and struggled to generate quality looks against Sacramento’s defense.
With their star sidelined, head coach Mike Brown turned to backup guards Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek to pick up the slack. McBride, who has been a steady contributor off the bench this year—averaging 12.7 points per game and shooting 45 percent from three-point range—stepped into the primary ball-handler role. Kolek also saw extended minutes, providing additional support in the backcourt. Jordan Clarkson and Deuce McBride were among those who obtained extended minutes upon Brunson’s untimely exit, as Kolek replaced Brunson in the starting lineup for the second half.
Despite the efforts of Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Hart to keep things competitive, the Knicks desperately missed Brunson’s ability to break down defenses and create for others. The offense, usually orchestrated with precision by their floor general, appeared disjointed and hesitant in his absence. The Kings capitalized, building a double-digit lead that New York struggled to overcome.
Brunson’s absence looms large not just for the outcome of this single game, but for the Knicks’ broader ambitions. Sitting 3.5 games behind the conference-leading Detroit Pistons, New York’s grip on the No. 2 seed could slip if their star is forced to miss extended time. The team’s recent inconsistency—going 5-5 in their previous ten games—has already sparked concerns among fans and analysts alike. The prospect of navigating the heart of the season without their MVP candidate is daunting, to say the least.
It’s worth noting that Brunson’s durability had been a bright spot prior to this latest setback. Apart from his two-game absence in November and a missed game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in December, he’s been a constant presence in the lineup, appearing in 36 games this season. His stellar play has kept him near the top of the Eastern Conference All-Star voting and in the thick of the MVP conversation, even after a slight dip to seventh on NBA.com’s latest MVP ladder.
For now, the Knicks’ medical staff is expected to take a cautious approach with their franchise guard. Given the recurring nature of his ankle issues and the team’s strong playoff positioning, there’s little incentive to rush Brunson back before he’s fully healthy. “The team will likely take a cautious approach with their star guard, especially given their strong playoff positioning and the recurring nature of his ankle problems,” noted Jayesh Pagar, a sports journalist covering the NBA.
As the Knicks look ahead, all eyes will be on updates regarding Brunson’s status. His health may very well determine whether New York can recapture the momentum that made them NBA Cup champions or if their campaign will be derailed by the cruel twist of fate that befell their star in Sacramento.
For now, the Knicks remain in the hunt, but the road ahead just got bumpier. Brunson’s resilience has been tested before—and New York is hoping he’ll bounce back once again, just in time to steer their playoff dreams back on course.
