Jalen Brunson’s injury has been a major issue for the New York Knicks this season. The star guard suffered a right ankle sprain on March 6, 2025, during an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. This incident has since become a focal point in discussions about his critical role on the team. Despite initially being sidelined for at least two weeks, recent updates have sparked optimism regarding his recovery.
The Knicks organization adopts a measured strategy by placing health before a quick return for Brunson. The team has adjusted their approach to his recovery by monitoring him through court activities and close medical checks since his treatment progressed at an unexpectedly fast pace. A strategic pause before his return became essential because it prioritized his full health recovery, especially when playoff opportunities existed.
Jalen Brunson’s Rehab and Injury Update
Brunson is making “really good progress” on his rehab and recovery from a right ankle sprain, head coach Tom Thibodeau said.
“He’s doing more and more each day. He’s feeling a lot better,” Thibodeau said. “So really good progress. But day-to-day, basically.” Thibodeau added that Brunson has not practiced yet, but he’s “doing a lot of shooting, working the pool, working the bike. Stuff like that. So his conditioning is pretty good, actually.”
Jalen Brunson’s rehab progressing faster than initially anticipated, but Knicks won’t rush guard back (via @IanBegley) https://t.co/k4BOYZnUpx pic.twitter.com/pnNhmb14vL
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 24, 2025
The controlled court work indicates that Brunson is on track to develop his court mobility and self-assurance after recovering from injury. Monitoring the importance of slow progress remains the priority as staff members want to prevent any rapid actions that could pose risks to his future athletic capabilities. Similar to standard NBA protocols, the healthcare team applies a controlled strategy for handling such injuries.
The inclusion of the quoted tweet in this update serves as a reminder that, although progress is being made, the priority remains his full and safe recovery.
The Knicks’ performance statistics demonstrate clear differences between matches where Brunson plays and when he takes a seat on the bench. The New York Knicks have a 35-22 winning record when Brunson plays, but they fall to 1-3 when he sits. The large performance deficit due to his absence proves his significant dual responsibilities as scorer and playmaker before he makes his expected return.
The Knicks believe that Brunson should recover well, and they have scheduled a review of his condition for April 1, 2025.