Brunson’s Quick Comeback Highlights Busy Night Across the NBA
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Several high-profile returns — and one notable absence — shaped Wednesday’s NBA action.
Knicks
Who: Jalen Brunson
What: Returned from a Grade 1 right ankle sprain and scored 28 points, adding five assists and three rebounds
When: Wednesday, in his first game after a one-week layoff
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
How: Led New York to a 113-111 victory over the Mavericks
The guard injured the same ankle on November 12, an issue that sidelined him for 15 games last season. New York kept him out two contests this time, evaluating him daily. Brunson entered the night averaging 28.0 points and helped the Knicks improve to 9-5 by hitting tough pull-ups, dictating tempo and closing out the win.
Pelicans
Who: Zion Williamson
What: Came back from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, finishing with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes
When: Wednesday, after missing six games
Where: Ball Arena, Denver
How: New Orleans fell 125-118 to the Nuggets but posted a plus-14 with Williamson on the floor
The Pelicans dropped their seventh consecutive game, yet interim coach James Borrego praised Williamson’s impact: “His energy, just having Zion out there for our spirit as a team, as a city, as an organization is phenomenal.” Rookie center Derik Queen scored a career-high 30, while Nikola Jokić logged a 28-point, 12-rebound, 11-assist triple-double before fouling out. Denver forward Peyton Watson added 32 points and 12 boards.
Warriors
Who: Stephen Curry
What: Missed the 110-96 loss to Miami with right ankle soreness after tweaking the joint twice in the past week
When: Ruled out roughly six hours before tipoff Wednesday
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
How: Golden State hopes he will return Friday against Portland
Draymond Green (illness) and Heat star Jimmy Butler (back) also sat. Buddy Hield played through an illness and scored 18 in 31 minutes. The contest closed a demanding stretch in which the Warriors played an NBA-high 17 games over 29 days in 12 cities, including five back-to-backs. Jonathan Kuminga (knee tendinitis) remained out, and Al Horford rested on the second night of Boston’s back-to-back. Golden State’s next five games are at home.
Source: Hoops Wire
