Honestly, being a Knicks fan right now feels like walking a tightrope in a windstorm. Just when you think the team is about to separate themselves from the pack, the floor drops out. If you’ve been following the NY Knicks news over the last 48 hours, you know the vibe at Madison Square Garden has shifted from "Eastern Conference threat" to "how do we survive January?"
The big elephant in the room is Jalen Brunson's right ankle. Again.
It happened fast. Just five minutes into the game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Brunson went down on a non-contact play. You could almost hear the collective gasp from the Garden crowd through the TV screen. This isn't just a "tweak." It’s the second time this specific ankle has betrayed him this season, and it’s the same one that kept him out for a month last year. While the team originally upgraded him to "questionable" for the Phoenix Suns game on Saturday, he ended up being a late scratch.
Predictably, the Knicks looked lost. They fell 106-99 to the Suns, marking their third straight loss. They’ve now dropped eight of their last ten.
The Reality of the Mike Brown Era
We have to talk about the coaching change because it’s coloring everything right now. After Tom Thibodeau was let go following last year’s run to the Eastern Conference Finals, the front office brought in Mike Brown to modernize the offense and, frankly, save the players' legs.
Thibodeau was famous (or infamous) for running his starters into the ground. Brown was supposed to be the antidote to that. He’s been way more willing to dig into the bench, giving minutes to guys like Tyler Kolek and the rookie Mohamed Diawara.
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But here is the kicker: the "load management" philosophy doesn't mean much when your stars get hurt on fluke non-contact plays anyway.
Brown's system relies on ball movement and pace—the Knicks currently rank 22nd in pace, which is actually a bit faster than the Thibs era but still deliberate—but without Brunson to initiate the sets, the offense turns into a mess of contested mid-rangers. Against Phoenix, the Knicks coughed up 17 turnovers. You just can't win like that in this league.
Trade Rumors: Who is on the Chopping Block?
With the February 5 trade deadline looming, Leon Rose is in a tough spot. The Knicks are basically pressed right up against the second apron, with only about $150,000 of breathing room. That makes a "blockbuster" trade almost impossible unless they move a core piece, which nobody expects them to do.
However, the names Guerschon Yabusele and Pacome Dadiet are being thrown around constantly.
Yabusele was brought in to provide some "stretch-big" utility off the bench, but it’s been a total disaster. He hasn't found his rhythm, and fans are already calling for the team to bring back someone like Precious Achiuwa, who actually knew the defensive rotations.
Specific trade targets that have surfaced in the latest NY Knicks news circles include:
- Marvin Bagley III: A lob threat from Washington who could give the second unit some vertical spacing.
- Robert Williams III: If the Blazers are selling, Time Lord would be the perfect rim protector, though his injury history is a nightmare.
- A reliable third-string big: Mitchell Robinson has been great lately, grabbing 10 rebounds against the Suns, but we all know he's a "handle with care" player.
The Silver Lining (Yes, There Is One)
It’s not all doom. Landry Shamet finally returned from his 25-game absence due to a shoulder injury. He didn't set the world on fire against the Warriors or Suns, but his presence matters. He gives them a veteran floor spacer who doesn't need the ball to be effective.
And then there's "Deuce" McBride.
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Miles McBride has been an absolute spark plug. With Brunson out, he’s been averaging 24 points and over five assists. He dropped 23 on the Suns with five triples. He’s proving that his team-friendly contract is one of the best assets the Knicks have. Honestly, if it weren't for Deuce, these recent losses would have been 30-point blowouts.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Skid
The narrative on Twitter is that the Knicks are "exposed" or that the Karl-Anthony Towns trade ruined the chemistry. That’s a bit reactionary.
The KAT-Mikal Bridges-OG Anunoby core is actually statistically very strong. The problem is depth and health. Josh Hart has been dealing with his own ankle issues, and the team is 12-3 when he starts but barely .500 when he’s out. Hart is the "glue" that allows KAT to focus on scoring and OG to focus on the opponent's best player.
When Hart and Brunson are both out, the "Knicks identity"—the offensive rebounding and the defensive grit—just evaporates.
Immediate Next Steps for the Knicks
The schedule doesn't get easier. They face the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, followed by the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday. If Brunson isn't back by the Mavs game, things could get ugly.
What the Knicks need to do right now:
- Prioritize the Backup Big: They cannot wait until February 5 to address the frontcourt depth. If Mitchell Robinson gets a hangnail, the interior defense disappears.
- Lean Into Kolek: Tyler Kolek has shown flashes of being a real floor general. Mike Brown needs to give him the keys to the second unit to keep the ball moving.
- Internal Consistency: Karl-Anthony Towns needs to be more aggressive in the fourth quarter. He had 23 against Phoenix, but there were long stretches where he didn't touch the ball. That’s on the coaching and the point guard play.
Keep an eye on the injury report tomorrow morning. If Brunson is upgraded to "probable," you can breathe a sigh of relief. If he’s ruled out early, expect the trade rumors to heat up significantly as the front office feels the pressure to save the season.
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To stay ahead of the curve, monitor the official NBA injury report four hours before tip-off against Dallas to see if Jalen Brunson or Josh Hart clear the active list. You should also watch the waiver wire for any veteran big men, as the Knicks are likely to move Yabusele's contract to create a roster spot before the February deadline.