(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Fans of the New York Knicks collectively held their breath on Wednesday night when it seemed like they could be losing Jalen Brunson.
The star player injured himself toward the start of Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers and missed all of the second quarter before returning in the third.
During his absence, the Knicks struggled in a number of ways.
On “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith said that the Knicks are asking too much of Brunson, but he knows why they are.
“Look at how they look when he’s not on the court. With greatness comes great responsibility,” Smith said.
.@stephenasmith says the Knicks are asking too much of Jalen Brunson, but he understands why.
“Look at how they look when he’s not on the court. With greatness comes great responsibility.” pic.twitter.com/umF6InP3lK
— First Take (@FirstTake) May 9, 2024
No one can blame the Knicks for wanting so much from Brunson.
Wednesday night’s game was another example of just how impactful he is: he scored 29 points in the game, 24 of those coming in the fourth quarter alone.
And in the four games before that, Brunson scored more than 40 points each time.
Brunson has been the team’s MVP all season, averaging 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on 47.9% from the field.
The Knicks have asked a lot of Brunson and he has consistently delivered.
But now there are concerns that Brunson is being pushed too hard at the moment when the team needs him most.
He has been on an incredible run during the playoffs, quite literally setting records.
What will happen to the Knicks if Brunson is pushed too hard and faces another injury that takes him off the floor for days or weeks?
The Knicks have multiple great players who have assisted them, but no one has done what Brunson has.
New York needs Brunson and all that he brings, especially right now.
The post Stephen A. Smith Says Knicks Are Asking Too Much From 1 Player appeared first on The Cold Wire.