Brunson Lifts Spirits as He Progresses in Recovery
CHARLOTTE — After suffering a severe ankle injury two weeks ago, Jalen Brunson has removed his walking boot and is now “doing light shooting,” according to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
Coach’s Optimism for Brunson’s Return
Thibodeau expressed hope that Brunson would return to the lineup and regain his rhythm ahead of the playoffs. He emphasized the importance of focusing on rehabilitation, stating, “Whenever he’s ready, he’s ready. He’s putting a lot into his rehab, so right now, that’s where we want his focus to be.”
Regular Season Countdown
The Knicks find themselves with only 13 games left in the regular season following a recent 115-98 defeat in Charlotte. Brunson is close to qualifying for postseason awards, needing four more appearances, with specific minute requirements for two of those games.
Handling Season Pressures
With a couple of back-to-back games ahead and a focus on keeping Brunson healthy, fitting those games into the schedule might prove challenging. However, the primary goal remains to ensure the point guard gets valuable playing time prior to the start of the playoffs on April 19.
Impact of Brunson’s Absence
Brunson sustained his injury on March 6 during an overtime game against the Lakers when he landed awkwardly. The Knicks have struggled without their leading scorer, going 3-4 in his absence, resulting in a decline in offense while the defense has shown improvement with Miles McBride stepping in.
McBride’s Leadership on Court
Despite the setback, McBride is not accepting subpar performances. He stated, “I feel like these are the times where guys are really trying to tune up even more, and these games become even more important.” His own playing time has significantly increased, providing him with opportunities to showcase his skills on both offense and defense.
Brunson’s Clutch Factor Eagerly Anticipated
As the Knicks face a critical stretch of games, the absence of Brunson has been felt most during clutch moments in fourth quarters. However, with his return to shooting drills on the recovery journey, there is optimism that he will be reintegrated just in time to help the Knicks gear up for the playoffs. Thibodeau described Brunson’s progress as “steady.”
