The New York Knicks butchered it in 2023, but they deftly celebrated the return of their All-Star point guard and team captain, Jalen Brunson. Their latest victims were the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. Brunson has now made his return after missing the last 15 games. He had sprained his right ankle in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on March 6. For all that, he still shouldn’t be considered a great boon to playoff basketball because his presence on the court is an important milestone. That can only help the team as they charge into the final week of the regular season.
That ankle injury has now torpedoed a critical month of games for Brunson, who suffered that original sprain a month ago. Nevertheless, he practiced with the Knicks for the first time since the injury on Friday. After an extensive pregame warmup at Madison Square Garden, Brunson was cleared to return to the lineup alongside his teammates. Brunson’s return lifted everyone’s spirits, and the team fed off that energy. At the same time, backup point guard Miles McBride returned to action after an eight-game absence due to a groin injury.
The Knicks excelled in Brunson’s absence, compiling a strong 9-6 mark. They did not let go of third place in the fierce race for the final third place in the Eastern Conference standings. Despite this success, Brunson’s return is expected to enhance the Knicks’ performance as they aim for their second consecutive 50-win season, requiring just one more victory to achieve this milestone.
In addition to Brunson’s leadership and scoring ability, McBride’s return adds depth to the team’s backcourt. These two influential players are back at it! For the Knicks, they’re clearly gearing up to make one last addition and improve their playoff odds.
Brunson has been irreplaceable this season and it affected the entire roster when he wasn’t available. The Knicks are preparing to make their stretch run. His leadership and experience will be central in maintaining their competitive edge’s sharpness.
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