Injuries to star players are often seen as devastating setbacks, with teams scrambling to adjust their strategies and manage the absence of their best talent. But in the case of the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson’s ankle injury in early March, the team’s response has turned what could have been a crisis into an opportunity for growth. With the Knicks’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, it’s starting to look like Brunson’s absence may have been the best thing that could’ve happened to this team.
Before Brunson went down in March, the Knicks were cruising along with a solid 40-22 record. However, their success had been paper-thin, particularly against top-tier teams. The offense, once a well-oiled machine, had started to regress, and their defense was nowhere near the level of last season. Brunson had been logging heavy minutes, carrying the load as New York’s primary ball handler and offensive engine, averaging nearly 38 minutes per game and putting up 29 points per game in the 10 games prior to his injury. Even with his stellar performances, the Knicks were struggling to find their identity.
Several of their key players—Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns—were also dealing with injuries, and the bench was far from reliable. The ball movement, which had been a strength earlier in the season, had all but disappeared. Instead of flowing offense, the Knicks had fallen into a pattern of isolation basketball, leading to stagnation and an offense that wasn’t as effective as it could be. Something had to change, and Brunson’s injury opened the door for that shift.
Brunson’s absence has forced the team to adapt, and this adjustment has paid off in spades. With less reliance on their star point guard, the Knicks have been able to address several key issues. Perhaps most notably, they’ve seen a marked improvement in both their offense and defense. Since Brunson’s injury, the Knicks have ranked 9th in the league in assist rate—an impressive jump from 20th before the injury. The ball has been moving again, and players have found greater freedom in the offense.
Bridges, in particular, has blossomed in Brunson’s absence. Averaging 20 points and 5 assists over the last 14 games, Bridges has become a central figure in the Knicks’ offensive attack. His shooting efficiency has skyrocketed—shooting 60% from two-point range and 36% from three—and he’s been more aggressive at the free-throw line, attempting 41 free throws since Brunson’s injury (compared to just 66 in the first 62 games of the season). Giving Bridges the freedom to attack in pick-and-rolls, hand-offs, and even in isolation was the missing piece all along.
Anunoby has also stepped up in a big way, averaging 23 points per game since Brunson’s injury, including an impressive 28 points per game over the last eight contests. His ability to attack the basket and draw fouls has elevated his game, and his newfound comfort at the free-throw line has helped him become a more efficient scorer. With more opportunities to shine, Anunoby has found a rhythm that had eluded him earlier in the season.
Josh Hart, too, has embraced a larger role, becoming more aggressive with his three-point shooting. His growth in recent games has been a valuable asset for the Knicks, giving them another reliable scoring option. Towns, a constant star, has continued to perform at a high level, and the overall team depth has been bolstered by players like Landry Shamet and Miles McBride. Shamet, in particular, is having his best shooting stretch of the season, adding another layer to the Knicks’ offensive firepower.
The Knicks have rediscovered their identity, playing a more fluid, ball movement-based offense in the absence of their star. The isolation-heavy style that plagued them before the injury has been replaced with a system that relies on quick passes, cutting, and ball reversals. This shift has reinvigorated the offense and helped them become more unpredictable and harder to guard. This newfound style has been a key factor in their recent success.
Their defense has also seen a turnaround, ranking 7th in the league since Brunson’s injury after struggling for much of the season. While Mitchell Robinson’s return has certainly helped, the Knicks’ defense as a whole has been more engaged, with players focusing on team principles rather than individual play. The result has been a more cohesive unit on the defensive end, which is crucial for a team aiming for a deep playoff run.
With the regular season winding down, Brunson is expected to return to the lineup just in time for the postseason. While his absence has given the team a chance to grow and find new sources of offensive firepower, the rest will likely be a blessing for him as well. Having had the chance to rest his body and reset mentally, Brunson will enter the playoffs healthier and with the added benefit of a more confident and aggressive supporting cast.
This period of growth without their star player may end up being just what the Knicks needed. By the time Brunson returns, the team will have solidified its role players, established a more fluid offensive system, and found its defensive identity again. The synergy between Brunson and his teammates will be that much stronger as they enter the high-stakes environment of the playoffs.
When Brunson returns to the lineup, the Knicks will be more than just a team with a star player. They will be a balanced, cohesive unit with multiple weapons at their disposal. The growth of Bridges, Anunoby, and others in Brunson’s absence will make the Knicks a deeper, more dangerous team in the postseason. They’ll enter the playoffs not relying solely on one player to carry the load, but with the confidence that they can win as a team, relying on multiple sources of scoring and playmaking.
In the end, while Jalen Brunson’s injury was a setback, it may have been a blessing in disguise. The Knicks have emerged from the experience with a newfound sense of identity, a more confident roster, and an offense that’s playing better than it has all season. If these positive trends continue, New York could be primed for a deep playoff run—and Brunson’s return may just be the final piece to put it all together.