Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks' All-Star guard, is set to miss significant time due to a right ankle sprain suffered during overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers. His absence could pose a challenge for the Knicks as they aim to maintain their position as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, with a narrow lead over the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers.

Brunson's impressive season, characterized by career-high averages of 26.7 points and 7.4 assists, has been pivotal for the Knicks. With him sidelined, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, and OG Anunoby will need to step up offensively, especially as the team navigates a challenging schedule. The Knicks face a critical juncture, needing to find alternative scoring solutions to secure their playoff standing.