Knicks’ Jalen Brunson returns to normal minutes — and puts on show
NY Post
PORTLAND, Ore. — Tom Thibodeau revealed that Jalen Brunson, not far removed from his scary knee contusion, was operating on a minutes restriction in the games leading up to his 45-point gem in Thursday’s 105-93 win over the Trail Blazers.
Brunson played an average of less than 30 minutes in his previous three games — including 27 in Tuesday’s win over the Sixers.
It was the fewest minutes Brunson logged since Jan. 9, not counting the 47-second appearance before suffering the knee contusion in Cleveland on March 3.
But then Brunson played 38 minutes against the Blazers, above his season average, and dissected the defense with the midrange game and trademark footwork.
He shot just 2 of 10 from beyond the arc but went to the line 17 times.
“I’ve had games where I’ve made a lot of 2s and no 3s, and I’m pretty sure I had one game this year where I made all 3s and no 2s. It happens,” Brunson said. “Just all about keeping my confidence, not worrying, second-guessing, just playing through it. It’s always going to be a roller coaster. Just got to keep my mentality and mind straight. That’s the one thing I can control.”
JUPITER, Fla. — A.J. Minter isn’t prepared to declare himself ready for the Opening Day roster, but he took a significant step in that direction on Wednesday.
Patrick Mahomes’ contract continues to provide valuable salary cap relief.
We’ll soon learn how much Falcons owner Arthur Blank values $10 million in cold, hard cash.
TAMPA — Add one more quirk to a Yankees rotation that has become quirky: Without their No. 1 starter, their No. 2 starter likely will not shift ahead in the order.
The Jets were quiet on Day 2 of free agency after adding a new quarterback Monday.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Brett Berard has displayed both a fiery passion and an admirable patience in the last six months of his hockey career, which reached the NHL level for the first time at the end of November.
PORT ST. LUCIE — The baseball calendar says the Mets have about two weeks until Opening Day, but Francisco Lindor’s mind is on another timetable as these dog days of spring training pass.
The man with the best nickname on the team is one of the few Knicks who has made it this far relatively unscathed in the court of public opinion.
For a guy who seemingly is always headed out the door, Darius Slayton has a way of never leaving.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Rangers stood by their defensive structure in the immediate aftermath of their Weekend of Missed Opportunities, in which they had two chances to capture the top wild-card spot in the East and failed to do so in such disappointing fashion.
PORT ST. LUCIE — Luis Torrens helped inject life into the Mets’ season last year but now faces even larger responsibilities with the team.
The Jets are having a Fields Day.
SACRAMENTO — P.J. Tucker understands his reputation as a hard-nosed player who is willing to vocalize displeasure.