Knicks star Jalen Brunson expected to miss at least 2 weeks with right ankle sprain

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Jalen Brunson is expected to miss at least two weeks with a right ankle sprain, putting the New York Knicks in a tough spot as they try to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks announced Friday that their star point guard will be evaluated after suffering the injury in overtime of the Knicks’ 113-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

“You don’t replace a guy like him individually. We're going to have to do it collectively," coach Tom Thibodeau said before the team played the Los Angeles Clippers.

Brunson remained with the team on Friday. New York's West Coast trip continues with games at Sacramento, Portland and Golden State. The Knicks are third in the East and entered Friday 3 1/2 games ahead of fourth-place Milwaukee.

Thibodeau said he didn't know if Brunson would return before the regular season ends in five weeks.

“He's as tough-minded as they come,” the coach said. “Whatever he has to do to get back on the court, he'll be working at it around-the-clock I know that.”

Brunson rolled his right ankle with 1:24 remaining in overtime after landing on the foot of Lakers guard Austin Reaves on a drive to the basket. Brunson was fouled on the play and made both free throws to finish with 39 points and 10 assists. He then left the game.

Brunson ranks seventh in the NBA in scoring at 26.3 points per game.

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New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates after scoring as Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson gestures after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, right, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson writhes in pain after getting injured during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The U.S. military conducted a rapid response exercise involving Marines and military aircraft in Venezuela’s capital Saturday, over four months after the ouster of then-President Nicolás Maduro.

Two Marine Corps Osprey aircraft, which have characteristics of both a helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane, flew over the recently reopened U.S. Embassy in Caracas. They landed in the parking lot with the downdraft blowing tree branches. Forces then descended from the aircraft.

“Ensuring the military’s rapid response capability is a key component of mission readiness, both here in Venezuela and around the world,” the embassy said on Instagram.

Venezuela’s government had announced the drill earlier this week. Foreign Minister Yván Gil said the U.S. would conduct the exercise to prepare “in the event of medical emergencies or catastrophic emergencies.”

The drill comes almost two months after the U.S. formally reopened its embassy in Caracas. The reopening followed the restoration of full diplomatic relations with the South American country after Maduro 's ouster in early January.

Some Caracas residents Saturday gathered near the embassy to watch the aircraft, while a few dozen others gathered elsewhere in the city to protest the exercise. Protesters held a Venezuelan flag with the message “No to the Yankee drill” written over it.

U.S. military aircraft last flew over Caracas on Jan. 3, when elite forces rappelled down from helicopters and captured Maduro and his wife. Both were taken to New York to face drug trafficking charges. They have pleaded not guilty.

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

A soldier looks down from a military aircraft as the U.S. Embassy holds an emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)

U.S. Embassy holds emergency and air evacuation drill in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Mattey)