DALLAS — After missing a week with a Grade 1 ankle sprain, Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson returned to the lineup on Wednesday — fittingly, in Dallas, where his NBA career began as the 33rd pick in the 2018 draft.
Brunson rolled his ankle on a drive late in the Knicks’ Nov. 12 loss to the Orlando Magic, immediately fouled to get himself subbed out, then hobbled to the locker room. He exited Madison Square Garden on crutches and in a walking boot and missed the next two games.
A week, though, was all the time the Knicks’ captain needed to make it back. Brunson has played fewer than 65 games in a season just once in his career, and those who know him best weren’t surprised he refused to stay sidelined longer than necessary.
“Just mental toughness. Just going through pain,” said Mikal Bridges, Brunson’s longtime friend and Villanova teammate. “I know a lot of guys be in pain, and some guys sit out longer than usual. But I think it’s just mental toughness to get through it and be alright playing through pain. You ain’t gotta be 100 percent out there. So I think that mental toughness he has.”
The return just so happened to land in his old building. Brunson spent four seasons with the Mavericks before signing with New York as a free agent in 2022.
“Obviously he had some good years here,” said Josh Hart. “Obviously, he got a lot of love for Dallas, so whenever you come to a place like that, it’s always a good feeling.”
Brunson has played in Dallas twice since joining the Knicks, posting 30 and 37 points in those appearances — but New York lost both games. The Knicks are 0-3 against the Mavericks in contests where Brunson has suited up as an opponent.
“I’m sure he’s had a lot of great memories here and some not so great,” head coach Mike Brown said. “That’s everybody that’s been in different spots in the league.”
The Knicks certainly felt his absence in Miami, where they came up empty on four late chances to tie or win in the final minutes of Monday’s loss. Brunson’s stabilizing force — and late-game creation — was glaringly missed.
He returns averaging 28 points and 6.5 assists on 46.7% shooting and 36.9% from three in his first season under Brown, once again anchoring everything New York does offensively.
