Jalen Brunson is progressing closer toward his return, revealing Sunday that he’s resumed sprinting and “basketball activities” while hopeful for game reps before the playoffs.
“It’s good for me to get some game reps before we go into the stretch run,” Brunson said. “But the most important thing is trying to be 100 percent healthy.”
Brunson, 28, missed his 12th straight game Sunday with a badly sprained ankle, the result of landing awkwardly March 6 on Lakers defender Austin Reaves.
Speaking with reporters for the first time since the injury, the team captain said he was encouraged by the recovery but declined to provide a return target.
Tom Thibodeau has said Brunson’s next step is practicing.
“I’ve been able to move better and better each day and obviously going through stuff, things are sore, but the next day I see myself in a better spot than I was the day before,” Brunson said, “so I’m just going to continue to keep progressing that way.”
The Knicks have just eight games remaining after Sunday and, notably, Brunson is four short of qualifying for postseason awards. As a top candidate for both All-NBA and Clutch Player of the Year, Brunson acknowledged that it’s important “individually” to reach the 65-game threshold but health is the overriding motivation.
“I just want to make sure I’m fully healthy before I go out there,” he said.
Brunson said he’s confident in his ability to cut and change directions — facets integral to the point guard’s game — but is worried about conditioning.
That’s partly why returning before the playoffs is important.
“I’ve been able to do stuff to maintain [my conditioning], but I feel like it’s definitely going to take a hit,” Brunson said. “I mean, it’s not in-game reps. Out-of-game conditioning is different from just traditional conditioning, so I’m working my way back towards that. I feel like I’ve been working my ass off, so we’ll see.”
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The Knicks have maintained the third seed without Brunson, going a respectable 6-5 since his injury and before Sunday’s result.
OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, in particular, have stepped up in Brunson’s absence, each averaging over 21 points in the past 11 games before Sunday. Karl-Anthony Towns also dropped 25.7 points per game during that stretch.
Brunson has been an interested viewer.
“I’m watching to see where we are, where we can improve what we’re doing wrong,” Brunson said. “It’s a whole different perspective when you’re watching on TV and you’re not traveling, and so it’s really different.
“I’m happy with the way we compete. Obviously we can get better for when I’m back out there. There is a lot to improve on, but the guys are competing.”
And as he progresses through rehab — with just a couple of weeks remaining in the regular season — Brunson is happy that he’s coming back, but frustrated that he’s sidelined.
“I think the worst part is knowing that I’m getting better and better, but I’m still not where I want to be,” Brunson said. “That’s the most frustrating part about it, about it all. But like I said, it’s day to day, it’s getting better and better, so I hope it keeps continuing to progress that way.”
