### Knicks' Jalen Brunson Suffers Ankle Injury in Loss to Kings On January 15, 2026, the New York Knicks faced off against the Sacramento Kings, but the game took a turn for the worse when star point guard Jalen Brunson left the match early due to a right ankle injury. Brunson, who had previously dealt with ankle issues, was injured just 4 minutes and 15 seconds into the first quarter while dribbling, causing him to fall to the court. He managed to score four points in the brief time he was on the floor before being ruled out for the remainder of the game, which the Knicks ultimately lost [https://apnews.com/article/knicks-jalen-brunson-ankle-6b36a61d053c79cee0487c02f7760b5d][https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/knicks-kings-jalen-brunson-kzamevo3]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Its Implications 1. **Injury Details**: - Brunson twisted his right ankle during a play, leading to immediate concern for his health. He was initially deemed questionable to return but was later ruled out entirely [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/knicks-jalen-brunson-questionable-return-040030420.html][https://www.ktik.com/2026/01/14/knicks-jalen-brunson-exits-vs-kings-due-to-ankle-injury]. 2. **Previous Injuries**: - This is not the first time Brunson has faced ankle issues; he missed two games in November due to a sprained right ankle and had a month-long absence from the same injury during the 2024-25 season [https://apnews.com/article/knicks-jalen-brunson-ankle-6b36a61d053c79cee0487c02f7760b5d][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/jalen-brunson-limps-off-court-040130342.html]. 3. **Game Impact**: - The Knicks struggled in the game against the Kings, ultimately losing in a blowout. Brunson's absence was felt significantly, as he is a key player for the team [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/knicks-crushed-lowly-kings-jalen-055844426.html][https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/jalen-brunson-exits-knicks-kings-game-injury-11363206]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Game Statistics**: - Brunson played only **5 minutes** and scored **4 points** before exiting the game [https://abc7ny.com/post/knicks-jalen-brunson-sprains-ankle-ruled-halftime/18405718]. - The Knicks lost the game against the Kings, who are considered a lower-tier team in the league, highlighting the impact of Brunson's injury on the team's performance [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/knicks-crushed-lowly-kings-jalen-055844426.html]. ### Conclusion and Future Considerations In summary, **Jalen Brunson's right ankle injury during the game against the Sacramento Kings raises significant concerns for the New York Knicks**. His history of ankle issues complicates the situation, as the team will need to monitor his recovery closely. The Knicks' performance without their star point guard could be adversely affected in upcoming games, emphasizing the importance of Brunson's health to the team's success. 1. Brunson's injury occurred early in the game, leading to his early exit. 2. His previous ankle injuries raise concerns about his long-term health. 3. The Knicks suffered a significant loss in the game, highlighting the impact of his absence. The Knicks will need to strategize effectively in his potential absence to maintain their competitive edge in the league [https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-what-happened-to-jalen-brunson-knicks-star-exits-to-locker-room-against-sacramento-after-injury][https://www.tsn.ca/nba/article/knicks-star-brunson-leaves-vs-kings-after-hurting-right-ankle].