Getty
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks takes a moment before the opening tipoff against the LA Clippers at Madison Square Garden on January 07, 2026 in New York City.
The New York Knicks could be without their floor general at a critical moment, as Jalen Brunson has been listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies due to right ankle soreness.
The designation comes on the second night of a back-to-back, following a lopsided 111–94 loss to the Houston Rockets that extended New York’s recent slide.
Brunson’s availability now looms as a key storyline for a Knicks team searching for answers.
Knicks Searching for Response After Blowout Loss
GettyJalen Brunson of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against the Houston Rockets.
New York (48–28) enters Wednesday having dropped three straight games — all by double digits — after previously winning seven in a row.
Against Houston, the Knicks never led and were overwhelmed early, falling behind by 16 points after the first quarter and trailing for nearly the entire game.
Brunson finished with 12 points on 5-for-14 shooting, struggling to generate offense against Houston’s aggressive defensive pressure.
“They did whatever they wanted,” Brunson said, via the New York Post, after the loss.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 22 points and eight rebounds, but the team shot just 10-for-34 from three-point range and was outplayed in nearly every statistical category.
Back-to-Back Raises Questions Around Brunson’s Status
Brunson’s questionable tag raises the possibility that the Knicks could opt for caution as they manage his workload late in the season.
If he is held out, New York is expected to lean on a combination of Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet to handle backcourt responsibilities.
Alvarado provided a spark off the bench against Houston, helping the Knicks briefly cut into the deficit in the second quarter before the game slipped away again.
Still, replacing Brunson’s scoring and playmaking would present a significant challenge.
Playoff Positioning Adds Urgency
Despite their recent struggles, the Knicks remain in third place in the Eastern Conference and have already secured a playoff berth.
However, their margin for error is shrinking.
New York enters Wednesday just one game ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers, making every remaining game critical as they try to maintain home-court advantage in the first round.
Forward Josh Hart did not mince words when describing the team’s mindset heading into Memphis.
“We’re obviously struggling right now,” Hart said, via the New York Post. “So [Wednesday] we have to play with a sense of desperation. Sense of being willing to sacrifice. To win.”
Grizzlies Matchup Presents Opportunity — and Risk
On paper, the matchup favors New York.
Memphis (25–50) owns one of the league’s worst records and has been depleted by injuries, including the absence of star guard Ja Morant, who is recovering from a UCL sprain in his left elbow.
The Knicks defeated the Grizzlies 133–120 in their previous meeting on Nov. 11, with Brunson scoring 32 points.
But recent performances have introduced uncertainty.
New York has struggled against athletic, defensive teams and has not beaten a team with a winning record in more than three weeks.
Even against a short-handed opponent, consistency remains a question.
Knicks Looking to Reset — With or Without Brunson
Head coach Mike Brown emphasized the need for improved defensive focus after the loss in Houston, where the Knicks were slow to rotate and unable to contain the Rockets’ offense.
“To start the game, we were poor defensively,” Brown said, via the New York Post. “They didn’t feel us at all.”
Whether Brunson plays or not, the Knicks will need a more complete performance to halt their slide.
With the playoffs approaching, the focus has shifted from building momentum to simply regaining stability.
For now, Brunson’s status adds another layer of uncertainty to a team searching for answers at a crucial point in the season.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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