The New York Knicks’ playoff hopes just got a major boost. After nearly a month on the sidelines with a right ankle sprain, Jalen Brunson is nearing his return.
With just six regular-season games left, fans have been eagerly waiting for an update and it looks like the two-time All-Star could be back as soon as this weekend. But will it be against the Atlanta Hawks or the Phoenix Suns on Sunday? Here’s the latest on his status.
Jalen Brunson’s Return Timeline
According to KnicksFanTV’s ‘CP The Fanchise,’ Brunson is targeting a return this Sunday against the Phoenix Suns, assuming all goes well this week.
ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth also confirmed the optimism surrounding his comeback, reporting:
“There’s optimism Jalen Brunson will play this weekend, whether in Atlanta Saturday or at home Sunday.”
The Knicks take on the Hawks in Atlanta on Saturday, April 5, before hosting the Suns on Sunday, April 6, giving Brunson two possible return dates. However, the decision will depend on how he progresses in the coming days.
“The hope is he’ll practice fully Friday in Atlanta, and determine his status from there,” Hubbarth added.
Brunson has been out since March 6, when he suffered a right ankle sprain in the closing moments of a game against the Los Angles Lakers. Despite his absence, the Knicks have managed to stay competitive, going 9-5 without him and holding onto the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Brunson has made major strides in his recovery, revealing earlier this week that he has begun sprinting and has been cleared for basketball activities. While there was no official return date set at the time, he expressed his intent to play before the postseason.
“Realistically, I’m hoping to play before the playoffs. I think it’s good for me to get some game reps before we go into that type of stretch run, but most importantly, I want to make sure I’m 100% healthy,” Brunson said.
The hope is that he’ll practice fully on Friday in Atlanta, at which point the Knicks will make a final decision on his return.
Why is Brunson’s Return Crucial?
Before his injury, Brunson was in All-NBA form, averaging 26.3 points and 7.4 assists per game, ranking seventh in the league in scoring and eighth in assists. The Knicks have been resilient without him, but his return will be key for their postseason push.
There’s also a personal milestone at stake—Brunson has played 61 games this season and needs four more to meet the 65-game requirement for All-NBA honors.
With his return on the horizon, Knicks fans can finally breathe easy. Brunson is almost back, and just in time as the playoffs battle is about to begin.