Jalen Brunson Returns for Christmas Clash with Cavs - and the MVP Chatter Is Heating Up
After missing Tuesday’s game in Minnesota due to right ankle injury management, Jalen Brunson is set to return just in time for the Knicks’ Christmas Day showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers. And while the holiday spotlight is always bright, this one’s got a little extra juice - Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell, two of the East’s elite guards, going head-to-head on the big stage.
OG Anunoby, who also sat out the Wolves game with left ankle soreness, is expected back as well. Neither player appeared on the injury report for Thursday, giving New York a much-needed boost as they look to bounce back from a short-handed loss.
Brunson’s workload has been a point of conversation lately. Knicks head coach Mike Brown has mentioned wanting to dial things back for his star guard, but Brunson hasn’t exactly been easing off the gas.
He dropped a season-high 47 points in 38 minutes against Miami on Sunday - a performance that was as electric as it was efficient. Over his last nine games, Brunson is averaging 36.8 minutes, and that doesn’t even include the 41-minute marathon he logged in the NBA Cup Final.
“I want to play,” Brunson said postgame. “But if Mike wants to do something, then obviously, we’ll talk about it.
I have utmost faith and confidence in him. But obviously, when I’m out there, I want to play.”
That mindset - the mix of trust in the coaching staff and a relentless desire to compete - is exactly why Brunson’s name is starting to pop up in MVP conversations. After taking home NBA Cup MVP honors, he’s got a chance to further solidify his case in a marquee matchup against Mitchell, who’s been doing some heavy lifting of his own in Cleveland.
“When you talk about MVPs especially, but All-Stars as well, you have to find a way to impact the game,” Brown said. “Sometimes, your shot’s not going in, so how else can you do it?
Jalen’s constantly trying to do those things - defending, rebounding, running the floor, making plays. That’s what separates the great ones.”
Kolek Steps Up in Brunson’s Absence
With Brunson sidelined in Minnesota, Tyler Kolek made the most of his first NBA start - and then some. The second-year guard put together a near triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 31 minutes. It was easily the best performance of his young career, and one that may have ripple effects beyond the box score.
“Anytime you get an opportunity like that, you try to take advantage of it,” Kolek said. “These guys got confidence in me to go out there and play my game and do what I do. It’s too bad we just couldn’t get the win.”
Still, Kolek’s emergence could give the Knicks something to think about as the trade deadline approaches. With his steady play and growing confidence, the urgency to find a backup point guard might not be as high as it once seemed.
KAT’s Minnesota Homecoming Hits the Heart
Karl-Anthony Towns returned to Minnesota on Tuesday, and the moment didn’t go unnoticed - by him or the fans. The former Timberwolves star, who spent nine seasons in the Twin Cities before being traded to New York, was met with a warm ovation during introductions and a postgame shoutout from Anthony Edwards. Then he went out and dropped 40 points, reminding everyone in the building just how much he meant - and still means - to that franchise.
“There’s nothing more valuable in this league, this job, than to be respected,” Towns said. “I left my heart, my soul here in Minnesota.
For the fans to just, even after two seasons away, to respect me the way they do and to think of me so highly and to appreciate what I left on the court tonight, it means a lot. It really means a lot.”
The emotion was real, and so was the performance. Towns continues to be a steadying force for the Knicks, both on the floor and in the locker room.
Trey Jemison Making the Most of His Moment
Trey Jemison isn’t a household name - yet. But the third-year center is quietly carving out a place for himself in New York’s system. In just his fourth appearance of the season, Jemison played more than 18 minutes in a win over Indiana, showing flashes of the kind of energy and physicality the Knicks value in their bigs.
“My game is growing,” Jemison said. “From my position coaches to all my G League coaches, they are buying in and helping me set a higher standard for myself and it’s been great. … I love coming to work every day.”
For a player who’s already been with five NBA teams, Jemison’s development in New York speaks volumes about the organization’s commitment to maximizing every roster spot. He’s not just filling minutes - he’s earning them.
Looking Ahead
With Brunson and Anunoby back in the fold, the Knicks are hoping to turn the page quickly after the Minnesota loss. Thursday’s Christmas Day matchup isn’t just another regular-season game - it’s a chance for Brunson to make another MVP statement, for the Knicks to show they’re a force in the East, and for fans to get a front-row seat to one of the league’s best guard battles.
Mitchell vs. Brunson.
The Garden on Christmas. Let’s go.