Knicks could play against Hawks without spark plug Jalen Brunson

(Photo by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

New York Knicks All-Star guard Jalen Brunson has defeated the Atlanta Hawks twice this season.

But the understaffed Knicks could be without a floor general as they enter a season sweep against the Hawks in New York on Tuesday.

Brunson suffered a left knee contusion early in New York’s 107-98 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Brunson was initially listed as questionable to return during the second quarter, but he was ruled out for the remainder of the second half.

“Anytime someone goes down like that, it’s concerning, but he’s been feeling a little bit better since then, he’s had some X-rays, he’s been to the doctor, so that news is good,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. Ta.

Regarding Brunson’s performance on Tuesday, Thibodeau said:

“I think there’s a chance (of playing),” he said. “It’s a knee contusion, everything came back negative, so we’ll see where he is (Monday).”

Brunson has been all-everything for the Knicks this season. He entered Sunday’s game averaging career-highs in points (27.2) and assists (6.6) while shooting 47.7 percent from the floor and 40.7 percent from 3-point range.

In New York’s 126-120 victory in Atlanta on October 27, Brunson made a then-career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 31 points. In the Knicks’ 116-114 road win, he added six treys while scoring 24 points. Game against Hawks on November 15th.

Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart filled in for Brunson on Sunday. The former highlighted his 28-point performance by sinking six 3-pointers, while the latter had 13 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists.

“When a guy’s down, he’s got to find a way,” Hart said. “We had to go out there and play our game.”

The Knicks are without OG Anunoby (right elbow surgery), Julius Randle (right shoulder) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery) out indefinitely.

Atlanta won’t shed any tears over New York’s injury woes. After all, the Hawks are in the midst of playing without Trae Young for at least four weeks after the star guard underwent surgery to repair an injury to his pinky finger.

The Hawks fell to 2 wins and 2 losses without Young after losing three consecutive games against the Brooklyn Nets.

Dejounte Murray followed up his 28-point performance in Thursday’s 124-97 upset of Atlanta against Brooklyn with 20 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in the Hawks’ 114-102 loss on Saturday. Recorded.

Atlanta trailed 54-40 in the second half, erasing a slim two-goal lead at the break on Saturday.

“They stepped up their physicality a notch, which made it difficult for us to break down the paint,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “(Brooklyn) is a team with intense size and athleticism throughout the lineup, and we need to get better.”

DeAndre Hunter scored 27 points in his first matchup against New York, and Bojan Bogdanovic came off the bench to contribute 28 points in the most recent matchup.

–Field level media