That’s one way to keep minutes down.
Jalen Brunson will rest Tuesday’s game against the Timberwolves with “right ankle injury management,” according to the Knicks, who also ruled out OG Anunoby with “left ankle soreness.”
The news arrived after Mike Brown said he hoped to limit Brunson’s playing time but failed during Sunday’s win over the Heat, when the point guard went off for a season-high 47 points in 38 minutes.
“You try to sit ’em as long as you can,” Brown said. “But if you feel the game slipping, it’s my job to help us win in the best way possible.”
Brunson is averaging a team-high 35.2 minutes, which is a little less than last season but more than Brown’s stated goal of 34.
In the past nine games, Brunson is averaging 36.8 minutes — which doesn’t even count his 41 minutes in the NBA Cup last week.
“I want to play,” Brunson said Sunday. “But if Mike wants to do something, then obviously, we’ll talk about it. I have utmost faith and confidence in him. But obviously, when I’m out there, I want to play.”
Without Brunson and Anunoby, the Knicks (19-8) face a tall task in Minnesota (19-10), where Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are gaining momentum with nine wins in their past 11 games.
Tyler Kolek, who mostly has played well starting in the Vegas portion of the NBA Cup, is in line for an increased role against the Timberwolves.
Guerschon Yabusele (illness), Miles McBride (sprained ankle) and Landry Shamet (sprained shoulder) also are out.
Brown surprisingly started rookie Mohamed Diawara when multiple starters rested last week’s game in Indianapolis.
Yabusele logged his first healthy DNP in Sunday’s victory over the Heat, the low point of a difficult season for the Frenchman.
Yabusele, who signed a two-year, $11 million contract in the summer, was replaced in the rotation by Diawara, who logged four minutes off the bench.
Yabusele had been trending toward DNPs after getting passed over for a starting spot last week in Indiana, where multiple rotation players rested after the NBA Cup. Diawara instead started at forward, and Yabusele managed just 11 minutes.
He hasn’t played more than 17 minutes in any game this season and is averaging a paltry three points on 39.4 percent shooting.
Yabusele became trade eligible last week, and the expectation is the Knicks will try to unload the 30-year-old. However, Yabusele’s value has been diminished due to the lack of opportunities and production.
Yabusele has a player option for next season at $5.8 million.
Mikal Bridges is again among the league leaders in distance traveled this season, a credit to a conditioning level that has been lauded as the best in the NBA.
“There’s nothing like game shape,” Bridges said. “And I think just playing and playing, eventually you just get more stamina. Just each game, you keep getting better. I know you get a little tired and stuff. The lungs, I feel like I got pretty good stamina, but sometimes the legs, it takes some time. Running up and down, the legs start to get a little fatigued more.”
Bridges entered Monday second in the NBA in total distance covered at 74.4 miles. He was behind only Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, who has two more games played.
Bridges was first in miles traveled last season (231 miles) and second in 2023-24, behind only Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis.
“Yeah, I be running,” Bridges said.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
