The New York Knicks may finally get their captain back on Wednesday when they face the Dallas Mavericks, Jalen Brunson’s former team, as their five-game road trip rolls on.
Brunson, who has missed the last two games with a sprained right ankle, has been upgraded to questionable on the NBA’s latest injury report. The Knicks split those two games with the Miami Heat, and his absence loomed large in Monday’s crushing 116–115 loss, where New York failed to score in the final 20 seconds.
The defeat marked the Knicks’ fourth straight road loss, extending their winless start away from Madison Square Garden to 0–4 this season.
Brunson Nearing Return After Grade 1 Ankle Sprain
Before Monday’s loss, Brunson was spotted going through his pregame warmup routine, a positive sign that his return is imminent. A comeback against Dallas — where he spent the first four years of his career — would be a significant boost for a Knicks team suddenly battling injuries on multiple fronts.
Brunson suffered a Grade 1 sprain late in New York’s 124–107 loss to the Orlando Magic on Nov. 12. With just over two minutes left and the game out of reach, some questioned why the star guard was still on the floor. He remained long enough to hit two free throws before exiting for the locker room.
At the time of the injury, Brunson was averaging 28.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists, continuing the elite form that earned him NBA Clutch Player of the Year honors last season.
Knicks coach Mike Brown defended his decision to keep Brunson in the game.
“I’m trying to win the game,” Brown said. “If I feel like our guys are still being competitive and still trying to play the right way, and there’s a chance, then I’m gonna try and win the game.”
Last season, Brunson missed 15 games due to multiple right-ankle flare-ups, making his recovery timetable a storyline to watch.
Knicks Remain Shorthanded With OG Anunoby Out
Even if Brunson returns, the Knicks will continue to be without OG Anunoby, who is dealing with a left hamstring strain. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Anunoby will be re-evaluated in two weeks, keeping him sidelined for the foreseeable future.
Anunoby had been off to an impressive start in Brown’s first season at the helm, averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 39.2% from three.
His absence was felt against Miami, particularly on the defensive end. New York ranks in the bottom half of the league in both steals and blocks. The coming weeks may hinge on how quickly Mitchell Robinson, averaging 1.2 blocks in six games, can ramp up to full minutes.
Knicks Slight Favorites Despite Injuries
Despite their struggles on the road and uncertainty around Brunson’s status, the Knicks enter Wednesday’s matchup as 5-point favorites over the injury-plagued Mavericks, according to Winz, one of the leading online casino sportsbooks listed by Laskuri.org.
Dallas remains short-handed amid one of the league’s most turbulent early-season injury reports, increasing the importance of Brunson’s potential return.
Road Trip Continues With Playoff Stakes Already Looming
The 8-5 Knicks have four more games remaining on their extended road stretch, including Wednesday’s matchup in Dallas. With Brunson trending toward a return and Anunoby sidelined for at least two weeks, New York faces a critical balancing act between staying competitive and preserving long-term health.
Whether Brunson suits up against his former team could shape not only the Knicks’ immediate trajectory but also the course of a road trip that already feels significant in the early playoff landscape.
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