The Knicks were already missing three of their starters – Julius Randle (dislocated shoulder), OG Anunoby (elbow inflammation) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle surgery) – and key reserve Quentin Grimes (knee sprain).
Shortly after Brunson went straight to the locker room, Josh Hart also appeared to hurt his knee.
But Begley allayed fears of a serious injury as he reported that Hart also exited the arena normally.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau had no information to provide during his postgame interview other than that the Knicks’ medical team is monitoring both Brunson and Hart. He defended his decision to bring Brunson back into the game with the Knicks leading by 20 with 8:08 left.
“[I’m] just reading the game,” Thibodeau said via SNY. “I told you guys, no trail is safe.”
True, the Grizzlies went on a run with the underperforming Jacob Gilyad hitting 3 straight 3-pointers as Memphis got within 104-95 right before Brunson’s ill-fated drive.