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Knicks' Jalen Brunson Suffers Fractured Hand Injury, Out for Game 7 vs. Pacers

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVMay 19, 2024

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during Round 2 Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on May 19, 2024 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE  (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The New York Knicks cannot catch an injury break.

The latest one was the most detrimental, as star point guard Jalen Brunson was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Game 7 of their second-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers with a fractured left hand.

New York was unable to complete a comeback without him and lost 130-109.

Brunson was unbelievable these playoffs and the primary reason New York advanced as far as it did even with so many physical setbacks.

He entered Sunday's contest averaging 33.7 points, 7.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from deep in these playoffs. Every single time the Knicks needed a big play or quarter, they consistently turned to Brunson in their first-round win over the Philadelphia 76ers and second-round battle with the Pacers.

Not only did he play at an incredible level, he mirrored some of the best players in league history.

In fact, he joined Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to notch at least 35 points and five assists in four straight games of the same postseason.

Ultimately, the Knicks couldn't survive any more injuries.

They were already without Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanović when OG Anunoby suffered a hamstring injury in Game 2. He missed the next four contests and then attempted to return for Game 7 just to play five minutes and be taken out after he was clearly laboring.

What's more, Josh Hart suffered an abdominal injury in Game 6 and appeared to struggle at times during Sunday's contest.

Throw in Brunson's injury, and it eventually reached a point where New York or any other team couldn't realistically be expected to advance.