The New York Knicks faced a significant setback on Friday night, suffering a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers without their star point guard, Jalen Brunson, who is expected to be sidelined for several weeks due to a sprained ankle. The Knicks struggled offensively, managing just 95 points while shooting below 40 percent from the field. Brunson's absence highlights his importance, as he has been averaging over 26 points and nearly eight assists per game this season.

Brunson's injury occurred late in a game against the Lakers, where he rolled his ankle after stepping on Austin Reaves' foot. Fortunately, X-rays revealed no ligament damage, but the Knicks will need to adapt quickly. Karl-Anthony Towns stepped up with a team-high 23 points against the Clippers, while Mikal Bridges contributed 22 points. With the playoffs approaching, the Knicks are currently positioned as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, but maintaining offensive momentum without Brunson will be crucial.