MIAMI — Shortly before game time, the Knicks retreated to the locker room to prepare and Jalen Brunson stepped onto the court, going through a routine of shooting drills despite being ruled out for a second straight game after suffering a sprained right ankle.

The encouraging sign gave hope that perhaps Brunson would be ready to rescue the Knicks by Wednesday when they travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks. But on this night, they still needed to find a way to make up for his absence on offense and OG Anunoby’s much longer absence on defense.

All of the offensive explosions that carried the Knicks to a win over Miami just three days ago were absent, and the team could only dream about Brunson coming to their rescue as they fell, 115-113, to the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center.

The loss

See Full Page