Jalen Brunson ‘ready to go’ for Game 3 in Miami after extra rest
While the NBA playoffs continued for teams that made it into the second rounds, the Heat and Knicks enjoyed three days of rest between Games 2 and 3.
The time off provided valuable rest for Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson to recover from their ankle injuries, but the point guard acknowledged that the team waiting in Miami benefitted from the time off as well.
“Honestly I think it helps both sides,” Brunson said at Friday’s practice. “Them and us obviously, you’re well rested. We’re itching to play, they’re probably itching to play. I’m just ready to go now.”
When asked about the status of his ankle, Brunson replied “I would say I’m ready to go.”
On Miami’s side, the extra time off helps Jimmy Butler’s sprained ankle, which caused him to miss the Knicks’ Game 2 win at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said his star forward worked on Friday and is planning to play Game 3, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Despite two games being played — with each team drawing blood as the series is tied 1-1 — neither team has been able to play their best lineups due to injuries. Saturday could be the first time Tom Thibodeau and Spoelstra make that happen.
“Yeah, sure,” RJ Barrett said Friday when asked if there’s some uncertainty with both teams being shorthanded at different points in the series. “I don’t know if it’s the next game or the game after that but at some point, I believe that everybody will be playing and then you get to see the real magic.
“It doesn’t matter whether people play or people don’t play or who they have, who we have. The series has been good regardless. Teams are gonna fight regardless of who’s out there.”
Brunson admitted he wasn’t feeling like his usual self in Game 2 due to his sore ankle but had the mindset to give the team everything he’s got and not to feel sorry for himself.
The star guard and the Knicks can expect the same attitude from Butler if he’s cleared to play in Game 3.
“Just gotta take it one day at a time,” Brunson said. “You got to play the cards you’re dealt and you can’t look past anybody. Can’t look at it differently if they’re not at full strength. You just gotta go out there and do what you gotta do no matter what that circumstance is. That’s just our mindset.”
The Knicks have been better on the road than at home this season. Thibodeau’s squad was 24-17 away from MSG, one game better than their home record.
The team hopes to carry that road success with them in Games 3 and 4.
“So you got the mindset, you know, us against the world,” Brunson said. “You’re playing in a hostile environment. So on the road, I guess your focus is just a little different. It’s a credit to how we prepare and how our coaching staff prepares us.
“We just go out there knowing that it’s just us out there and not really worrying about anything else.”
()