New York looks to the All-Star center for leadership while he grieves the death of a close family friend, writes Mark Medina.

The Knicks’ first game without Jalen Brunson went as expected: hard-fought until the end, where New York missed its captain and All-Star clutch performer.

The Knicks didn’t just win their first game since Jalen Brunson’s sprained ankle. See Also new york knicks Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns responds to Draymond Green’s ducking claim They dominated the Kings.