Martha Stewart has shared the surprising story behind a painful injury she suffered while sitting courtside during the New York Knicks’ 2025 NBA Playoffs run. The 84-year-old lifestyle icon revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on December 16 that Knicks star Jalen Brunson accidentally fractured her toe during a postseason game against the Indiana Pacers in May.
Stewart explained that the incident happened while she was seated on the floor near the court at Madison Square Garden. During a live play, Brunson crashed into her, breaking her big toe, an injury she has since humorously dubbed the “Brunson Fracture.” She recounted the full ordeal while promoting the reissue of her 1982 classic Entertaining, turning an unexpected courtside mishap into an unforgettable playoff anecdote.
“The Brunson Fracture”: What Really Happened During Martha Stewart’s Courtside Injury
Stewart clarified to Fallon that Brunson didn’t simply step on her foot but landed squarely in her lap during the game. Although the Knicks guard was unaware she had been injured at the time, the force of the collision fractured her toe. “I grabbed his arm, and his arm was like icy cold,” Stewart recalled.
“And I thought, he’s a basketball player, he should be sweaty, he was cool as a cucumber.” She added that she immediately reassured the Knicks captain at the moment. “I said ‘It’s OK,’ that’s all I said,” Stewart explained. “And he didn’t know he broke my foot, but he broke my foot.”
After Fallon displayed a photo of Stewart sitting courtside in strappy gold sandals, she issued a clear warning to fans seated near the action. “Never, ever wear open-toed shoes to a game like that when you’re sitting on the floor,” she said.
That footwear choice has since become unavoidable for Stewart. She appeared on the show wearing Manolo Blahnik Patopia Slingback Sandals and explained why. “That’s why I’m wearing open-toed shoes, because it’s the only kind of shoes I can wear now,” she said. The designer sandals retail for $835.
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The situation became even more uncomfortable when the playoff game went into overtime, forcing Stewart to stay seated despite the pain. “I couldn’t get up and leave to go take care of my toe,” she said. She also joked about Brunson’s stature, adding, “He’s not even big… he has big feet though.”
When asked whether she followed up with Brunson after the game, Stewart revealed that she reached out to his family instead. “I told his parents,” she said with a laugh. Brunson’s father, Rick Brunson, is an assistant coach with the Knicks. Stewart later received a signed basketball for her grandchild, putting a lighthearted bow on the memorable courtside mishap.
Martha Stewart Reveals The Inspiration Behind Her Enchanting Woodland Christmas Decor
Martha Stewart is fully embracing the holiday season this year, and she admits she’s gone bigger than ever. In an exclusive conversation published with Country Living Magazine on December 15, 2025, Stewart opened up about her Christmas décor, hosting traditions, and gift-giving habits, offering a detailed look at how she transforms her home for the holidays.
The discussion also revisited Stewart’s long-standing relationship with Country Living. She reflected on appearing in the magazine’s very first issue in 1978, which showcased her Westport, Connecticut kitchen.
This year, Stewart revealed she has decorated her home with an impressive 20 Christmas trees. “Oh, my goodness. The whole place looks fabulous,” she said. Two of those trees are real Silvertip firs placed in her dining room.
“I did put two real live trees in my dining room, beautiful Silvertip fir trees from Oregon, which have big spaces between the branches,” Stewart explained. “They are all lit and hung with hundreds of ornaments. I kind of overdid it this year, but I like doing that.”
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Stewart also shared a practical tip for keeping live holiday trees looking their best, recommending Miracle-Gro for Christmas Trees plant food to help maintain their health throughout the season.
Her dining table décor continues the festive transformation with a woodland forest theme, which Stewart recently showcased on Instagram. She revealed that the setting features about 10 miniature Christmas trees placed directly on the table, complemented by glass hurricanes filled with candles and an assortment of charming woodland animal figurines, creating a layered, storybook-style holiday display.
