Less than 24 hours after he hobbled off the Celtics court with an ankle injury, Jalen Brunson was walking without a limp while being celebrated by his alma mater.
Brunson attended Villanova’s 65-56 victory over UCLA in Philadelphia — where he was introduced to the crowd and cheered as he waved and walked normally across the court, as captured by videos at the event.
The 27-year-old, who hasn’t missed a game this season for the Knicks, turned his ankle in the final seconds of Friday night’s defeat to the Celtics. Brunson retreated to the bench, where he bent over in pain.
He later left the arena without talking to the media.
The injury became a hot topic after the game because Brunson was hurt when defeat was assured with 21.1 seconds remaining and a 12-point deficit.
The Celtics had removed most of their starters, but Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau kept in his top players during garbage time.
Brunson rolled his ankle by stepping on the foot of Celtics guard Payton Pritchard.
Judging by Brunson’s stride at the Villanova game, it looks like the Knicks dodged anything serious.
They face the Raptors on Monday at MSG before a five-game road trip.
Brunson was joined at the Villanova game by Josh Hart, his former college and current NBA teammate.
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