The New York Knicks were dealt a devastating blow on Thursday evening, as All-Star guard Jalen Brunson suffered a serious ankle injury toward the end of New York's 113-109 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
With the Knicks trailing by two and less than two minutes remaining in the extra period, Brunson attacked the basket and was fouled as he went to shoot the ball.
During that move, he landed awkwardly on the foot of Los Angeles's Austin Reaves, severely rolling his ankle and being forced to come out of the contest after he sank both free throws to tie the game.
Though the Knicks still have not officially announced a prognosis for their star player, New York guard Josh Hart stated, "It's a bummer of an injury. We expect him to be out for a little bit."
There’s no denying that Brunson has played a significant role in turning the Knicks into legitimate Eastern Conference contenders over the past two seasons. He currently ranks inside the top ten in the league in both points and assists, with those efforts propelling New York to third place in the East.
But despite the enormous void that Brunson's injury will leave on New York's roster, the Knicks aren’t throwing in the towel on what has been a successful season up to this point.
Regarding Brunson's injury, center Karl-Anthony Towns commented matter-of-factly, "It's next man up."
In sports, anytime a player is seriously hurt, another player on the team is expected to step up and help with the need created by the injury.
As followers of Jesus, we all have the tremendous honor and privilege of having "teammates" in the body of Christ.
Sometimes, our "teammates" will suffer "injuries," such as health issues, family crises, and work-related challenges. During those times, we must recognize that God has placed us on the "team" so that we might rise to the occasion and meet the needs as best we can.
When we recognize a need in the lives of one of our brothers and sisters, we are to immediately do whatever is within our power to help serve them. When they are "injured," we must not delay jumping into action to help fill the void.
Proverbs 3:27-28 (ESV) says, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it'—when you have it with you."
One of the ways that we can best demonstrate to the world that we have been transformed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to demonstrate our love for our fellow believers by jumping into action during their time of need.
While it’s easy to offer quick platitudes or well wishes when someone is "injured," we have been called to demonstrate the reality of our faith by mobilizing to serve our fellow believers.
James 2:25-26 (NASB) explains, "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?"
We must be intentional about meditating on the fact that we belong to the most incredible "team" of all and that what happens to one of our "teammates" directly impacts us.
In a section dedicated to the unity of the body of Christ, the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NIV), "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."
Today, let's be intentional in looking for the needs around us, especially in the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters. As we see those needs, may we be quick to spring into action as the “next man up,” serving and caring for our fellow "teammates" for the glory of God!
I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me be attentive to the needs of others. Help me see how I can best serve my fellow brothers and sisters, and give me the grace and strength to serve others well for Your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.