Knicks navigate rough patch without Brunson, eye his return for playoff push

The New York Knicks have had a challenging two weeks in the absence of Jalen Brunson. With a 3-4 record during this stretch, only one of those victories came against a team currently holding a top-six playoff seed. On Thursday, their struggles reached a new low as they suffered a disappointing 115-98 loss to the struggling Charlotte Hornets, marking their second consecutive defeat. Had it not been for a miraculous buzzer-beater from Mikal Bridges in Portland, the Knicks would be sitting at 2-5 without their star player, putting their hold on the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference in jeopardy.

Thankfully, there is some optimism for New York’s fortunes, as Brunson’s return appears to be on the horizon. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau provided an update on Thursday, revealing that Brunson is now out of his walking boot and has started doing light shooting, marking a crucial step in his recovery from the sprained ankle he suffered earlier this month against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Originally, the timeline for Brunson’s return was projected to be at the end of March or early April. With the regular season ending on April 13, Brunson should be back in time to make a significant impact if he continues to recover as expected. The timing of his return will also play a role in New York’s playoff positioning. Currently, the Knicks (43-26) hold a three-game lead over the Indiana Pacers (40-29) for the No. 3 seed in the East. The larger their lead grows, the more cautiously the team can approach Brunson’s recovery, ensuring that he returns to full strength before the postseason begins.

The ultimate goal for the Knicks is to have Brunson at his best for the playoffs, where he has been nothing short of outstanding. In his 24 playoff appearances with New York, Brunson has averaged 30.3 points and 6.6 assists per game, leading the Knicks to the second round in consecutive seasons. This year, he was in the conversation for a First-Team All-NBA selection, establishing a formidable partnership with Karl-Anthony Towns to form one of the most potent offensive duos in the league.

As demonstrated over the past few weeks, the Knicks’ offense has struggled without Brunson. Towns is missing his ideal pick-and-roll partner, and players like Bridges, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby are all solid contributors but need a star player to help elevate their games. Having Brunson back before the playoffs would not only help New York get back on track but also provide him with valuable time to get fully warmed up before the games begin to matter most.

The Knicks’ playoff aspirations will ultimately hinge on Brunson’s health. If he returns to full strength, New York will be poised to make a deep postseason run. However, if they are forced to enter the playoffs with a limited version of their star player, their championship hopes could be in serious jeopardy. Getting Brunson back before the regular season concludes would be an essential first step toward securing that goal.