Medical Expert’s Opinion on Jalen Brunson Injury After Massive Scare in Cleveland

In the opening minute against the 2-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, the Knicks saw Jalen Brunson heading to the locker room. Attempting a jumper off a catch on the elbow, Brunson experienced intense pain in his knee. He immediately took to the floor, tending to his leg while forcing him out of the court. Staff and teammates then immediately assisted him, guiding him to the locker room.

Brunson was diagnosed with an inflammation in the knee and ruled out from the game at hand. Now, with the unsettlement of Brunson missing games on an already injury-stricken roster, Brian Sutterer, a sports medicine doctor, breaks down the potential consequences of his injury.

Medical expert gives insightful update on Jalen Brunson’s knee

Brunson’s injury was immediately seen as a non-contact. However, Brian argues otherwise. Moreover, while analyzing Brunson’s walk back to the locker room, Brian points out a brief moment where Jalen stumbles and trips on his foot, twisting his ankle. Brian indicates that the involuntary stumble could be a sign of a foot drop or a potential peroneal nerve contusion. Moreover, Jalen’s inability to dorsiflex further supports his suspicion, prompting him to cite contact on the outside of Brunson’s knee.

While examining multiple angles of the instance, Brian tries to pinpoint the exact moment of the alleged contact on Brunson’s left knee. With that, he significantly rules out possibilities of major non-contact injuries like ACL or patella tendon rupture. Instead, he suggests a possibility of temporary nerve dysfunction affecting the peroneal or fibular nerve, disables Brunson from picking up the ankle muscles and causing the foot drop.

Moreover, as the Knicks updated Brunson with a sore left knee, Brian offered a reassuring note for New York Knicks fans. He suggests that the All-Star may soon regain optimal health to return to the court.

Another doctor backs up Brian’s suggestion

Brian’s immediate breakdown of Jalen’s injury failed to reflect the exact moment of the alleged contact. However, the doctor proceeded to back his theory through the visible evidence. Now, as additional clips began surfacing on social media, Eric Friedman, a doctor for US Ski and Snowboard, echoes the same opinions as Brian.

Sharing a slow-motion clip capturing Jalen’s moment of injury, Eric proposes that Jalen’s left knee made contact with Isaac Okoro, the Cavs player trying to contest Brunson. With that, he validates Brian’s theory of Brunson dealing with a dead leg. Furthermore, the doctor then asserts that the injury may sideline Brunson for a few weeks.

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