The New York Knicks fell in the second round of the NBA playoffs to the Indiana Pacers as nearly their entire rotation succumbed to injuries. Jalen Brunson, their superstar, and Bojan Bogdanovic, one of their key bench players, each went down by the end of New York's run. With the offseason about to get underway,
The Knicks announced that the surgeries for both Brunson (on his left hand) and Bogdanovic (on his left wrist) were successful and that they will both be re-evaluated in six to eight weeks.
Both Brunson and Bogdanovic dealt with multiple injuries during the playoffs. The former dealt with soreness to his right foot that cost him his quickness in several games while the latter dealt with an ankle contusion that ultimately ended his season. With New York eliminated, both players (and the rest of their injured teammates) now have plenty of time to recover and get right for the 2024-25 campaign.
Jalen Brunson, Bojan Bogdanovic undergo successful surgeries
The Knicks came into the playoffs without Julius Randle due to a season-ending shoulder injury. In the first round against the Philadelphia 76ers, Mitchell Robinson reinjured his left ankle, which cost him 50 consecutive games during the regular season, and Bogdanovic turned his own left ankle as he and 76ers forward Nico Batum fought for a loose ball. OG Anunoby hurt his left hamstring, Josh Hart suffered an abdominal strain and Brunson hurt his hand in the second round.
Although New York's momentum was derailed heavily by injuries, getting to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in over a decade shows legitimate progress. Brunson led the way for one of the deepest teams in the league. Bogdanovic was a key part of that depth.
Brunson made his first All-Star team in the 2023-24 season and was one of the most prolific scorers in the playoffs, approaching wild records as he got bucket after bucket. He finished fifth in MVP voting and is eligible for an extension this summer.
Bogdanovic was traded by the Detroit Pistons to New York at the trade deadline, along with Alec Burks, in exchange for Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, Malachi Flynn and Ryan Arcidiacono. He provided great three-point shooting at various times for the Knicks.
The focus now for the Knicks is retaining free agents Anunoby, who suffered and tried to come back from a hamstring strain during the second round, and Isaiah Hartenstein. New York certainly hopes to retain both starters and come back stronger next season.