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[Saba Sports News] With their matchup against the Golden State Warriors fast approaching, the New York Knicks have officially ruled out Jalen Brunson due to an ankle sprain.
Brunson initially rolled his ankle on March 6 in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, making his status a key storyline for Knicks fans over the past week.
With him sidelined against Stephen Curry and the post-Jimmy Butler trade Warriors, all eyes will be on backup Deuce McBride to see if he can continue to impress in an expanded role.
Since joining the Knicks from the Dallas Mavericks in one of the most scrutinized moves of the last decade, Brunson has played 206 regular-season games for New York, missing just 26 contests in two seasons.
Despite his physical playstyle and heavy minutes under Tom Thibodeau—already 433 more than his entire Mavericks tenure despite appearing in 71 fewer games—Brunson has proven to be remarkably durable.
As for when he will return, that remains uncertain. Every ankle injury is different, and recovery timelines can vary. However, the fact that he was close to playing against the Warriors suggests he may not be far from a comeback.
With the playoffs looming, the Knicks will hope to have their All-Star floor general back in time for the final stretch, where his leadership and toughness will be crucial.