Jalen Brunson's gutsy 'Bloody Knee Sleeve Game' gets place in New York sports lore after Knicks rally

Jalen Brunson' clutch performance on Wednesday night helped the New York Knicks steal Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, and it happened through a barrage of physicality.

Brunson dealt with injuries throughout the night, as he needed medical attention for both his ankle and his knee throughout the night. While he was able to finish the game, Brunson did so with a battle scar that harkens back to Curt Schilling's bloody sock game.

The Knicks captain has a tough mindset that makes it so he will keep fighting despite being guarded with physicality by the opposing team's defenders. Here's how Brunson fought through a bloody knee to help secure the key NBA Finals victory.

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Jalen Brunson bloody knee photos

Brunson got battered in the first half of Game 1, as he needed medical attention after Harrison Barnes fell into his knee. While Brunson was able to return and finish the game, he did so with an apparent bloody knee sleeve.

However, Brunson's initial knee injury was to his right knee, while this bloody knee sleeve occurred on his left knee.

Jalen Brunson's bloody knee sleeve game pic.twitter.com/VSf8meGyhl

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 4, 2026

MORE: Why the Knicks won Game 1 of the NBA Finals

How did Jalen Brunson get hurt?

In the first quarter, Brunson injured a knee when Landry Shamet pushed Harrison Barnes into his knee on a rebound attempt. Brunson immediately came up limping and headed back to the locker room for medical attention.

Brunson injury:pic.twitter.com/OopM9R07WS https://t.co/tuXVXsMxFv

— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) June 4, 2026

Later in the game, Brunson hurt his ankle as Luke Kornet stepped on his ankle after a play, which didn't garner a call.

Luke Kornet just stepped on Jalen Brunson’s ankle….. pic.twitter.com/vRHKjQN9Tk

— SleeperHoops (@Sleeper_Hoops) June 4, 2026

Still, it was Brunson's left knee that had the bloody knee sleeve, as it is unclear when the point guard suffered that ailment.

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Jalen Brunson stats in Game 1

• Minutes: 37
• Points: 30
• Rebounds: 3
• Assists: 2
• FGM-FGA: 12-31
• 3PM-3PA: 2-9
• FTM-FTA: 4-4

Despite battling the injury and a slow start, Brunson still produced 30 points on the night. He was inefficient, as he only made 12 of his 31 shots, but he was much better in the second half when the Knicks needed him most.

MORE: Karl-Anthony Towns outplays Victor Wembanyama in Game 1

Jalen Brunson injury report for Game 2

Brunson was able to finish the game despite his various injuries, and he downplayed the impact of the injuries after the game. 

"I'll be good to go," Brunson told Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter.

Jalen Brunson joins @notthefakeSVP to react to the Knicks’ Game 1 win over the Spurs 💪 pic.twitter.com/5VdszUk997

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 4, 2026

Brunson has a day to recover before the Knicks take the court in Game 2, but it's going to take a significant injury for him to miss the contest.