It’s a difficult time to for the Knicks right now. Josh Hart is dealing with injuries, in the middle of a statistical slump, yet produces at a high level. Fans and analysts can’t decide whether he should remain a starter or bench him for someone who can support Jalen Brunson on the floor. During the Knicks’ surge in the East, they face the defending champions tonight. But very early into the second half, New York hit back-to-back setbacks.

While the Knicks were falling behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in double digits, Josh Hart left for the locker room. The initial reports confirm that he injured his back. Although details remain vague on what happened and if it was a non contact injury, he returned to the bench.

It was immediately followed by Jalen Brunson heading into the locker room. He’s injured his leg but again, details remain vague. Without him the Knicks managed to bring the gap within 6 points, now at 61-67 with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Both players are not having a great night. Brunson had only 5 points across 20+ minutes while Hart had 4. Brunson was having a hard time in the first half, going only 2-for-9 from the field.

UPDATE: Jalen Brunson returned to the game. His clutch three tied the Knicks and Thunder 75-75. He’s extended his night’s tally to 13 points while bringingthe game within NewYork’s reach.

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Brunson’s injury scare had terrified Knicks fans for a moment. He’s exactly what the Knicks need. And his last second heroics in the third proved that he’s vital to facilitate the offense.

Jalen Brunson’s injury scares cast a shadow over Knicks

The sight of Jalen Brunson heading to the locker room, even briefly, is enough to send the Madison Square Garden faithful into a collective panic. That’s exactly what happened tonight. While his immediate return and subsequent late game explosion against the Thunder provided a momentary sigh of relief, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragile tightrope the New York Knicks are currently walking.

Brunson has been the engine behind the franchise’s recent rise to the third seed in the Eastern Conference, but his 2025–26 campaign has been punctuated by recurring lower-body issues that threaten to derail New York’s deepest playoff aspirations in decades. Brunson has been navigating a day-to-day injury status for much of the second half of the season.

The All-Star guard missed significant time in January after suffering an ankle sprain during a matchup against the Sacramento Kings. He had a similar setback in November, where a non-contact ankle injury forced him into a protective boot and crutches.

. These recurring “scares” have created a pattern of inconsistency for the Knicks. Their offensive rating plummeted during Brunson’s prior absences and Josh Hart, with his own injuries and slump, has not been able to make up the deficit. It’s forced head coach Mike Brown to lean heavily on Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns to fill the playmaking void.