Jalen Brunson advocates for teammates as NBA Cup approach nears
- Jalen Brunson is listed as questionable for the Knicks' game against the Pistons due to a lower back contusion.
- Despite his injury, he reported feeling 'amazing' after the game against the Hornets.
- The Knicks are focused on their performance in the NBA Cup, where the prize money could have a significant impact on players' salaries.
In the context of the NBA, Jalen Brunson, the All-Star point guard for the New York Knicks, was recently listed as questionable for the team's home game against the Detroit Pistons due to a lower back contusion. This injury occurred during a game against the Charlotte Hornets, where Brunson crashed hard to the floor in the third quarter and did not return to the game after a significant lead was established by the Knicks. It was reported by Coach Tom Thibodeau that Brunson could have continued to play, but there was no necessity for him to return given the score, which saw the Knicks leading by over 20 points. Despite the injury, Brunson reported feeling 'amazing' but planned to wait and see how his body responded before making a decision on playing against the Pistons. Brunson has been an integral part of the Knicks, having started all 22 games this season and contributing significantly to the team’s performance, including a recent game where he scored 24 points and provided eight assists in a victory against the Bulls. The Knicks are navigating their season amidst injuries and lineup changes, with players like Jericho Sims receiving limited minutes and the return of new additions like Precious Achiuwa contributing to the amount of playing time available. Additionally, as the team pushes forward into the NBA Cup competition, Brunson expressed the altruistic view that the potential prize money could greatly benefit those on the roster with lower salaries, highlighting the financial implications for players on one-year contracts or two-way deals. With the Knicks' aspirations of advancing further in the NBA Cup, the importance of players like Brunson remains as they aim to secure not only a victory, but also a significant cash prize per player should they reach the finals in Las Vegas.