Villanova in the Pros: Jalen Brunson Exits With Ankle Injury

New York Knicks All-Star and two-time Villanova Wildcats national champion Jalen Brunson scored 39 points on the road before going down with a sprained ankle in a 113-109 overtime loss against the Lakers on Thursday, March 6.

Brunson, the reigning Eastern Conference player of the week, nearly willed the Knicks to victory, scoring eight of the team’s ten points in the extra period. He also netted the game-tying and-1 to send the game to overtime and added ten assists and four rebounds on the night. Brunson’s injury occurred while driving to the basket with 1:20 to play in overtime, drawing a foul that allowed him to sink two free throws and tie the game 107-107 before exiting. In his absence, Los Angeles promptly pulled ahead and never looked back.

Following the game, reports surfaced that Brunson’s injury is minor: “only a sprained ankle,” per NBA insider Chris Haynes. The Knicks will play in the second half of a back to back against the Clippers on March 7, so he’ll almost certainly miss one game during New York’s extended West Coast road trip.

Fellow Villanova alumnus and Knicks’ teammate Josh Hart posted a double-double in the loss with 18 points and ten rebounds.

Elsewhere in the NBA, former Wildcat Cam Whitmore rode the pine for the entirety of Houston’s 109-97 win over New Orleans due to a coach’s decision. The second year forward enjoyed one of his best games of the season on March 3, scoring 27 points, but has played just seven minutes across the two games since then as his mercurial season continues.