NBA Finals Update: Jalen Brunson Limps on Video After Knee Injury
All-Star guard Jalen Brunson was injured in the first quarter of the NBA Finals. What happened to Brunson, and what's his condition?
According to USA Today, Brunson "left the game late in the first quarter with an apparent knee injury," but he was back on the court in the second quarter, although he had a noticeable limp. However, Bleacher Report noted, "He initially remained in the game despite grabbing at his knee but then limped to the locker room." He returned but still had the limp.
Video captured Brunson walking with a limp. Why does this matter? Because he's key to the Knicks' success. Brunson "is the leader of everything they do on the offensive end thanks to his outside shooting, ability to make plays off the bounce," Bleacher Report reported.
How Did Jalen Brunson Get Injured?
Jalen Brunson went to the locker room with an apparent right leg injury in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/kxzfs3GxJW
— ESPN (@espn) June 4, 2026
How did Brunson, of the New York Knicks, get injured? According to USA Today, the injury "happened with 2:03 left in the period, when Spurs forward Harrison Barnes fell to the floor and bumped into Brunson's right knee, which was planted on the floor."
Yahoo Sports described the injury this way: Brunson "was getting in position for a rebound when Spurs forward Harrison Barnes barreled in, colliding with Knicks guard Landry Shamet before falling. As Barnes hit the floor, he made contact with Brunson's right knee, leaving the three-time All-Star coming up hobbling.:
What Are Jalen Brunson's NBA Finals Stats?
North Jersey.com reported: "Brunson dealt with multiple injuries in the first half, including a right knee issue that forced him to miss a small amount of time in the first half."
What are Brunson's stats? As of 10:21 p.m. ET, he had scored 13 points and was shooting "6-of-19 from the field, 1-of-7 from three-point range," according to North Jersey.com.
Yahoo Sports noted that Brunson had a "rough start" during the NBA finals, scoring only three points in the first 11 minutes. He scored only 14.3 percent from the field during that time frame, Yahoo Sports reported.
Fans Urged the New York Knicks to 'Protect Jalen Brunson at All Costs'
Fans weighed in on social media. "PROTECT JALEN BRUNSON AT ALL COSTS #Knicks," wrote one. "Jalen Brunson left the game with an apparent leg injury in the FIRST quarter. The Knicks cannot afford to lose him right now," another page wrote when he was injured.
However, social media commentary soon turned away from the injury. "Look at Jalen Brunson so inspirational," wrote a fan, after he went back on the court.
"JALEN BRUNSON IN THE PAINT. UNTOUCHABLE," wrote another fan.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 10:30 PM.