The New York Knicks hit a speed bump on Tuesday night, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves on the road and slipping to 20-9 on the season. It wasn’t their cleanest performance, but considering they were without Jalen Brunson - their engine and emotional leader - the Knicks hung tough in a hostile environment.
Brunson missed the game with a right ankle injury, and naturally, the big question on fans’ minds was whether he’d be ready for the marquee Christmas Day matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On Wednesday, that question got a much-needed answer - and it’s the one Knicks fans were hoping for.
According to reports, Brunson is expected to suit up on Christmas Day, giving the Knicks a crucial boost as they look to bounce back and keep pace near the top of the Eastern Conference. That’s massive news, especially considering how electric Brunson has been in recent weeks. He’s dropped 40-plus multiple times lately, putting the team on his back and pushing New York closer to the conference’s top seed, where only the surprisingly surging Detroit Pistons currently sit ahead.
Brunson’s return couldn’t come at a better time. The Knicks have dealt with their share of injury setbacks this season - OG Anunoby missed significant time earlier in the year, and Karl-Anthony Towns has been nursing injuries of his own. But this team has shown resilience, grit, and a growing chemistry that’s starting to look like something special.
Now, with Brunson back in the fold, they’ll get a chance to reset the tone against a Cavaliers team that’s fallen well short of expectations this season. Tip-off is set for 12:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, and it’ll be the first game of the NBA’s Christmas Day slate - a spotlight stage the Knicks are plenty familiar with.
This isn’t just another regular-season game. It’s a chance for the Knicks to make a statement on national TV, with their floor general back in action and the Eastern Conference standings within striking distance.
Keep your eyes on Brunson. If his ankle holds up and he picks up where he left off, the Knicks could be in for a very merry Christmas indeed.