The New York Knicks engaged the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their competitive Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. New York held the game close midway through the second quarter. However, the Knicks were hit with a concerning Jalen Brunson injury before the end of the first half.

Jalen Brunson suffers untimely injury in Knicks-Pacers Game 2

Brunson exited the game to the locker room with left foot soreness and was questionable to return, the Knicks' PR team announced on X. Thankfully, the star guard came out and warmed up with the team after halftime, per a video provided by ClutchPoints (h/t Steve Popper):

Jalen Brunson has been the heart and soul of the highly competitive Knicks. He struggled early during the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers but has since rallied to supply New York with a reliable flow of offense. The star guard has averaged a whopping 36.6 points and 8.6 assists through seven 2024 playoff games.

Brunson was huge in the Knicks' 121-117 Game 1 win over the Pacers. He amassed a game-high 43 points, six assists, and six rebounds. If Brunson were to endure a hiatus, it would be a crushing blow to New York. Nevertheless, they have the personnel necessary to support Brunson and keep things afloat.

Josh Hart has stepped up for the Knicks during the postseason. After averaging 9.4 points and 8.3 rebounds during the regular season, Hart leapt to 17.9 points and 12.4 rebounds through the first part of the playoffs. Moreover, he is shooting a blazing 44.7 percent on three-pointers.

If Hart can continue his jump in production, the Knicks can go far. Of course, Hart will not be able to do it by himself. Thus, Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby look to continue providing stout two-way support.

New York trailed by ten points going into halftime. Can the Knicks rally and go up 2-0 as Jalen Brunson returns to the court from injury?

Knicks have a power that overcomes all odds

New York has a talented team on paper. After all, their squad finished the 2023-24 regular season with a 50-32 record, which allowed them to clinch the second see in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Their 50-win season was the first since 2013. However, their team has intangibles that give them an edge.

If there is one thing New York will rely on to win outside of their play on the floor, it is team chemistry. After the regular season, Jalen Brunson revealed that New York was one accord, sharing a selfless, winning mindset.

“It's a mixture of the chemistry we have, a mixture of the coaches and how they want us to have a mentality,” Brunson said. “Guys just have that mindset. It's how most of us grew up as basketball players.”

Similarly, Donte DiVincenzo emphasized that New York's locker room has supreme synergy.

“I think we genuinely like each other. It's not BS, it's not for the cameras — I think everybody in this locker room likes each other and everybody in this locker room wants everybody else to succeed. That's the rarity here,” DiVincenzo said.

Things will not be easy against a fiery Pacers squad. Indiana wants to make it to the conference finals after their own solid regular season showing. Nevertheless, the Knicks look to use their chemistry and team play to keep the upper hand and prevail.