The New York Knicks find themselves grappling with recent setbacks, attributed in part to the notable absence of Jalen Brunson in their lineup. The past two games have underscored Brunson’s pivotal role as the missing piece for the Knicks, a void they hope to address when they face the Houston Rockets in their first encounter of the season on Wednesday night.
The Knicks, coming off a disappointing 98-94 loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday, will be banking on Brunson’s potential return after a bruised calf sidelined him during the defeat against the Dallas Mavericks last Thursday. Despite working out before Monday’s game and being listed as questionable for the upcoming matchup, Brunson’s impact on the Knicks is undeniable.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau expressed confidence in the team’s ability to win, with or without Brunson, emphasizing their depth. However, the absence of the versatile player, currently boasting career-best shooting stats of 42.4 percent from beyond the arc, and averaging an impressive 25.8 points and 6.4 assists per game, became glaringly evident during Monday’s match.
Against the Magic, the Knicks struggled offensively, going 2-of-13 from the field, including a 0-for-7 performance from 3-point range, following a pivotal 3-pointer by OG Anunoby. The impact of missing Brunson, who not only contributes substantial points but also controls the pace of the game, was keenly felt by the team.
Knicks guard Josh Hart acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Brunson’s 25 points per game and highlighted the challenge of compensating for a player who brings both scoring prowess and game management.
On the other side, the Houston Rockets, recovering from a 124-115 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, are reasonably healthy with guard Dillon Brooks returning to form after a nine-game absence due to a right oblique strain. However, coach Ime Udoka expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of his starters against the 76ers.
Udoka called an early timeout, just 76 seconds into the game, as the Rockets struggled to find their rhythm against the aggressive play of the 76ers. Despite a late surge in the fourth quarter led by Jalen Green, Udoka stressed the need for consistent intensity from the start, particularly from his starters.
As the Knicks gear up to host the Rockets, the spotlight remains on Jalen Brunson’s potential return and its potential impact on the team’s fortunes, while the Rockets aim to rectify their performance issues and display a more consistent effort from tip-off.
