NBA Notes: Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Warriors, Jimmy Butler, Bulls

Knicks

The Knicks are looking inward as they try to halt a recent slide.

According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Jalen Brunson called a players-only meeting following Monday’s home loss to an injury-depleted Dallas team.

Sources told ESPN that Brunson stressed the responsibility falls on the players, not the coaching staff, to correct the issues that have surfaced in recent weeks.

New York has dropped nine of its past 11 games and sits at 25-18. While the Knicks remain the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the margin has tightened, with just a one-and-a-half game cushion over the Cavaliers.

The meeting followed a non-competitive performance in which the Knicks trailed by 28 points at halftime and lost by 17.

“We all need to do some soul searching,” Josh Hart said afterward. “Right now we’re playing embarrassing basketball.”

Brunson, however, expressed confidence that the Knicks can rediscover the form that fueled a 23-9 start and an NBA Cup title.

Warriors

The Warriors have officially confirmed that Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Monday’s game. Butler will undergo surgery, though the team has not announced a timetable for the procedure.

The injury occurred in the third quarter when Butler landed awkwardly on his right knee after being bumped while catching a pass. He was helped off the court and was unable to put weight on the leg.

Because the deadline to apply passed on January 15, the Warriors will not be eligible for a disabled player exception.

Butler, who is under contract through the 2026-27 season, was averaging 20.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 37 games.

Bulls

As the trade deadline approaches, the Bulls have begun exploring center options.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago has held discussions with the Pelicans regarding Pelicans center Yves Missi. Cowley notes a deal could be difficult, as the Bulls are not eager to part with draft assets.

Cowley also reports that the Timberwolves have inquired about guards Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jones, in addition to Coby White, as Chicago continues to gauge the market ahead of the deadline.