Jalen Brunson's ankle update is reassuring for the Knicks for now

The Knicks listed Jalen Brunson day-to-day after a right ankle sprain suffered in Sacramento; a sports medicine physician said it appears to be a low-grade sprain but noted repeated sprains can undermine ankle stability.

Jalen Brunson was ruled out of Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors after sustaining a right ankle sprain in the first quarter of Wednesday's loss at Sacramento. The Knicks listed him as day-to-day, which suggests the injury is not being viewed as severe at this moment. Brunson has already missed two games this season with a right ankle sprain and missed 15 late last season for the same issue, raising questions about recurrence. Dr. Stephanie Gwin, a non-operative sports medicine physician, said the latest injury looked like a lower-grade sprain but warned that repeated sprains can lead to greater instability. Brunson left the Kings' arena with a slight limp and without crutches or a walking boot. Known details: - Brunson suffered the right ankle sprain in the first quarter of the Knicks' game at Sacramento and was ruled out of the following game versus the Warriors. - The Knicks designated him as day-to-day after the injury. - He had missed two games this season for a right ankle sprain and missed 15 games late last season for the same issue. - Dr. Stephanie Gwin said inverse ankle sprains commonly recur and that this one appears low-grade, while recommending rehabilitation and ankle retraining; she also noted PRP injections are sometimes used though evidence is mixed. - Video and reports indicated Brunson was able to walk off the court and weight-bear; he left the arena with a slight limp and no crutches or boot. - Since Brunson signed in 2022, the Knicks entered Thursday with an 18-19 record in games he did not play and a 155-94 record when he did play. Summary: Brunson's day-to-day designation is a cautiously positive sign, but medical commentary in the article highlights that multiple ankle sprains can increase the risk of instability. The team's record when he plays versus when he does not underscores his on-court importance. Undetermined at this time.