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The New York Knicks just took a massive hit — and not just on the scoreboard. Jalen Brunson, the team’s heart and soul, could miss an extended period after suffering a right ankle injury in the Knicks’ 113-109 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

The injury happened with 1:24 remaining in OT, when Brunson landed awkwardly on Austin Reaves’ foot after being fouled on a drive to the basket. Despite the pain, Brunson’s mental toughness was on full display — he stayed in the game long enough to drain both free throws and tie it at 107 before heading to the locker room.

“He’s a huge part of our team,” said Karl-Anthony Towns. “But it’s next man up. We’ve been playing with grit, and we have to go out there and do it again.”

Josh Hart echoed the frustration: “It’s a bummer of an injury. We expect him to be out for a little bit.”

And that’s where the real concern starts. Brunson has been on fire this season, averaging 26.3 points (7th in the NBA) and 7.4 assists (8th). He lit up the Lakers for 39 points and 10 assists, keeping the Knicks alive in a game they probably shouldn’t have been in.

With the Knicks sitting at 40-22 and holding 3rd place in the East, this injury couldn’t have come at a worse time. New York is now in the middle of a brutal five-game West Coast road trip, with games against the Clippers, Kings, Blazers, and Warriors still ahead.

Coach Tom Thibodeau summed up what Knicks fans already know: Brunson is irreplaceable. But now, the Knicks will have to rely on their grit and depth to stay afloat in the ultra-competitive Eastern Conference.

One thing’s for sure — the Knicks’ season just got a whole lot tougher.