Knicks Injury Update: Jalen Brunson Lightens the Mood After Horrifying Blow in Pacers Clash

A contact sport, basketball often has at the very least two players on every team that are on the injury list. Even if somehow a group manages to present a healthy roster, there will be clashes. After all, basketball employs some of the biggest men on the planet. And that means an elbow to the face, a whack on the head, a kick to the groin (this one is rarely a mistake), or like Jalen Brunson tonight, a hit to the eye.

Despite sporting a swollen eye, Brunson took his team past the finish line with 40 points. When asked about the hit after the game, Jalen had a hilarious reply.

Jalen Brunson shows what a good sport he is in the post-game talks

“I feel fantastic.” This was the All-Star’s answer when the reporter asked how he was doing after sustaining the hit. The fourth quarter saw Jalen rally his troops for a comeback when he crashed into Andrew Nembhard. Brunson immediately fell, holding his face in pain.

He must have sensed the urgency of the situation as he got back up with a throbbing eye and made the go-ahead basket. The clock showed that there was only 1:46 remaining. Just like that, the Knicks won their ninth straight win in a 109-105 victory over the Pacers.

The Knicks vs Pacers

Except for Josh Hart, every player tonight, with 20+ minutes, had double-digit scores. Donte DiVincenzo followed Brunson with 20 points while Miles McBride had 16 points to his name. Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa both knocked down double-doubles as they scored 12 points each and grabbed 19 and 16 rebounds, respectively.

Read More: NBA All-Star Starters: Jalen Brunson Gives Humble Response to Major Snub For Damian Lillard

Indiana was off to a good start and continued on their cushy lead into halftime (58-51). Even when there was 8:25 left on the clock, the Pacers had a 91-85 advantage. But New York had called for a timeout after the Brunson-Nembhard collision, and after that, it was a sealed deal for Indiana.

A Brunson layup, DiVincenzo’s 18-footer, Achiuwa’s errant three-pointer from Donte, and a pair of free throws from Jalen Brunson stripped the Pacers of any chance. The Knicks will face the Lakers next.

Fresh off a win against the Celtics, despite the absence of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, will the Purple & Gold snap the Knicks’ streak? Let us know in the comments below!

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