Knicks star Jalen Brunson playing despite sustaining apparent knee and ankle injuries in NBA Finals Game 1

One Jalen Brunson injury, even apparently minor, was bad news for the New York Knicks. Two are worse.

The Knicks star appeared to sustain two minor but painful injuries in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals. The first came when he exited Wednesday's game with an apparent knee injury during the first quarter, limping off the court to the locker room.

The injury occurred when San Antonio Spurs wing Harrison Barnes fell into Brunson's knee at an awkward angle after jostling for a rebound.

Brunson could later be seen walking gingerly through the tunnel to the locker room. The All-NBA guard returned to the bench early in the second quarter with a wrap around his knee, still seemingly hobbled.

He returned to the game soon after that, only to sustain an apparent left ankle injury after Spurs big man Luke Kornet landed on him after a drive. Brunson was furious with official Scott Foster over a no-call on the play.

Brunson remained in the game when it resumed after the commercial break, though. While seemingly uncomfortable, he did at one point score eight straight points for the Knicks in a competitive first half.

The Knicks were already dealing with one health concern, as rotation big man Mitchell Robinson suited up for Game 1 despite undergoing surgery last week to repair a broken finger.

This article will be updated with more information.