With Julius Randle sidelined the New York Knicks have been heavily relying on Jalen Brunson for offensive firepower. Ever since his first All-Star stint, Brunson has delivered consecutive 30+ point games, playing against both the top and lowest-seeded squads. However, now, for their contest against the New Orleans Pelicans, Brunson has unexpectedly been ruled out.

The Knicks, looking for every win they can get, will now face a significant void to fill as Brunson woke up this morning with neck issues, as disclosed by head coach Tom Thibodeau. Brunson’s issues can be argued to come from the physical showdown witnessed in the previous game, as the Detroit Pistons battled passionately to mount a comeback. Brunson played a total of 40 minutes in a close 113-111 win, posting a 35-point and 12-assist double-double.

Joining Brunson on the sidelines will be Isaiah Hartenstein, whose left Achilles soreness continues to be a concern. While Brunson’s issue is expected to be resolved soon, the situation with Hartenstein requires a different approach. His Achilles soreness is now a recurring issue, forcing him to miss three games before the all-star break previously.

Moreover, the Knicks’ injury list also includes OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson. With that, the roster now bears the vacuum of five impactful contributors due to various health issues. However, this is not the only concern the Knicks will have in today’s game.

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Zion Williamson upgraded to available

Zion Williamson was originally listed as questionable for the Tuesday matchup due to a foot contusion. However, he has now received clearance to hit the court. The good news gets better, as he will avoid facing Hartenstein. However, on the flip side, CJ McCollum has been upgraded to rest, nursing ankle issues. Pelicans will also lose out on Dyson Daniels (knee) and Jose Alvarado, who is suspended till the weekend game.

Fortunately, the turn of events anticipates an increase in court time for Zion, filling in the minutes left vacant by CJ. With minimal restrictions on the opposing side, the stage is set for Zion to potentially enjoy more scoring opportunities and have a standout game. In his last encounter with the Knicks, during the beginning of the season, Zion posted 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal in 28 minutes.

Looking ahead, the Pelicans will gear up for a clash against the Indiana Pacers tomorrow. However, until now, there has been no update on whether Zion has been cleared for back-to-back games. They will again face the Pacers later near the weekend.