Jalen Brunson is set to make his long-awaited return for the Knicks as they face the Phoenix Suns, after being sidelined for a month with a right ankle sprain. His return comes at a critical juncture, with the Knicks facing a demanding schedule with six games left in the regular season. Coach Tom Thibodeau is managing player workloads carefully, as they aim to reintegrate Brunson alongside key players like Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks have been struggling to find rhythm, with limited court time for their desired starting lineup.

Brunson's pre-injury stats were impressive, averaging 26.3 points and 7.4 assists. However, returning from injury poses its challenges, as players often struggle to regain rhythm and timing. Teammate Josh Hart highlighted the importance of Brunson finding his offensive groove quickly, especially as the playoffs approach. The Knicks will need Brunson to perform at an All-Star level if they wish to make a deep playoff run.