That’s one way to keep the minutes down.
Jalen Brunson will rest Tuesday’s game against the Timberwolves with “right ankle injury management,” according to the Knicks, who also ruled out OG Anunoby with “left ankle soreness.”
The news came after Mike Brown said he hoped to limit Brunson’s playing time, but that backfired during Sunday’s win over the Heat, when the point guard went off for a season-high 47 points in 38 minutes.
“You try to let them sit as long as you can,” Brown said. “But if you feel the game is slipping away, my job is to help us win in the best way possible.”
Brunson has a team average of 35.2 minutes, which is slightly less than last season but more than Brown’s stated goal of 34.
Over the past nine games, Brunson has averaged 36.8 minutes, which doesn’t even include his 41 minutes in last week’s NBA Cup.
“I want to play,” Brunson said Sunday. “But if Mike wants to do something, then of course we will talk about it. I have the utmost confidence in him. But if I am there, of course I want to play.”
Without Brunson and Anunoby, the Knicks (19-8) face a tall task in Minnesota (19-10), where Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle are gaining momentum with nine wins in their past 11 games.
Tyler Kolek, who has played especially well in the Vegas portion of the NBA Cup, is poised to play a bigger role against the Timberwolves.
Guerschon Yabusele (illness), Miles McBride (sprained ankle) and Landry Shamet (sprained shoulder) are also out.
Brown surprisingly started rookie Mohamed Diawara when several starters rested during last week’s game in Indianapolis.
Yabusele recorded his first healthy DNP in Sunday’s win over the Heat, the low point of a difficult season for the Frenchman.
Yabusele, who signed a two-year, $11 million contract in the summer, was replaced in the rotation by Diawara, who played four minutes off the bench.
Yabusele was leaning towards DNPs after being passed over for a starting spot last week in Indiana, where several rotation players were rested after the NBA Cup. Diawara started as a forward instead and Yabusele only managed 11 minutes.
He hasn’t played more than 17 minutes in any game this season and is averaging a paltry three points on 39.4 percent shooting.
Yabusele was traded last week and the Knicks are expected to try to offload the 30-year-old. However, Yabusele’s value has diminished due to the lack of opportunities and production.
Yabusele has a $5.8 million player option for next season.
Mikal Bridges is once again among the league leaders in distance traveled this season, an honor for a level of fitness hailed as the best in the NBA.
“There’s nothing like a game format,” Bridges said. “And I think just playing and playing, you just end up getting more stamina. With each match you get better and better. I know you get a little tired and all that. The lungs, I feel like I have pretty good stamina, but sometimes it takes a little time for the legs. When I run up and down, the legs start to get a little more tired.”
Bridges entered Monday second in the NBA with a total distance covered of 75.4 miles. He trailed only Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, who has played two more games.
Bridges was first in mileage (231 miles) last season and second in 2023-2024, behind only Domantas Sabonis of Sacramento.
“Yes, I’m running,” Bridges said.
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