Knicks’ Jalen Brunson back in lineup after one-game absence

NEW YORK — Just days after a scary knee injury forced him out of Sunday’s victory in Cleveland, New York Knicks All-Star Guard Jalen Brunson returned to the starting lineup Friday night at Madison Square Garden against the Magic of Orlando.

Brunson returned to practice Thursday and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said afterward that Brunson would participate in pregame warmups with the intention of playing Friday.

When asked if Brunson would play with minutes limitations, Thibodeau said: “We’ll monitor him. He’s coming off an injury, so it’s just the normal things you would look at.”

Brunson, who made his first All-Star appearance last month, left Sunday’s game less than a minute into the first quarter after going into spasms while jumping in the air. He remained on the field for some time before finally getting up and limping off the field.

Thibodeau allayed any fears of a potential long-term injury when he said after Sunday’s game that Brunson had a bruised knee and was day to day. After missing Tuesday’s loss to Atlanta FalconsBrunson was able to practice Thursday and appeared to go through his normal pregame workout Friday without problems.

It was a healthy dose of positive injury news for New York, which has lost seven of its last 10 games and entered Friday’s game a half-game behind the Magic for fourth place in the East standings. The Magic, who entered the game with a five-game winning streak and have won eight of their last 10 games, have climbed in the standings while the Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers And Cleveland Cavaliers have all faced significant injury problems in recent weeks.

In addition to Brunson’s injury, New York lost its entire starting frontcourt. OG Anunoby, Julius Randle And Mitchell Robinson for weeks, while Robinson’s replacement, Isaiah Hartensteincame in and out of the lineup with lingering Achilles soreness.

Anunoby, who missed the last few weeks after undergoing elbow surgery, began practicing 5-on-5 with full contact this week. Thibodeau said Anunoby now simply needs clearance from doctors before he can return to court.

“He’s doing everything now, so he’s doing well,” Thibodeau said. “When the doctor clears it, he’s ready to go. This is the last step.”

Randle, meanwhile, remains a little further away with his recovery from a sprained shoulder suffered in a fall against the Miami heat on January 27.

Despite the injuries, Thibodeau maintained that the Knicks have what it takes to win no matter who is available.

“It’s been a challenge all year,” Thibodeau said of the injuries. “You look at where you are. There’s 20 games left. We’re 10 games over 500 and we have a top 10 offense, we have a top 10 defense, we’re number one in scoring. rebound margin.

“But we know this is the time where everything speeds up, so we have to keep fighting until everyone comes back.”