Jalen Brunson. Image via: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images Jalen Brunson will play tonight against the Sacramento Kings, giving the New York Knicks their starting point guard back at full strength for Tuesday’s home game at Madison Square Garden.Brunson had been dealing with a right ankle sprain earlier this month, but he has now been cleared without restrictions. The injury is no longer listed on the Knicks’ report, and the team expects him to handle his normal role and minutes.
Jalen Brunson’s injury status for vs Sacramento Kings (January 27, 2026)
Jalen Brunson is active and expected to start. He is no longer listed as questionable or limited in any way. All signs point to a normal workload, with no minutes cap or precaution planned for the game.That expectation is reflected across the league, where his projected usage and scoring outlook match what he typically sees when fully healthy.
How the ankle injury happened
Jalen Brunson injured his right ankle on January 14 in Sacramento. He rolled it early in the first quarter while handling the ball near the three-point line and left the game after just five minutes. He was ruled out by halftime.He missed the next two games against Golden State and Phoenix. During that stretch, the Knicks relied on Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, and Jordan Clarkson to cover point guard duties. Brunson returned against Dallas, played without limitations, and has stayed in the lineup since.
What his presence changes tonight
Brunson has played well against Sacramento this season. In his last three full games against the Kings, he averaged around 34 points and eight assists. His ability to control the ball and create shots has been a problem for their defense.With him back, the New York Knicks can run their offense as usual. Expect heavy pick-and-roll action with Karl-Anthony Towns, who is also active after dealing with back spasms. Brunson’s return also helps spacing for Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart.New York is favored at home, in part because Brunson is expected to play 36 to 38 minutes if the game stays competitive.
New York Knicks vs Sacramento Kings injury report (January 27, 2026)
TeamPlayerStatusImpact Knicks Jalen Brunson Active Full starter, no restrictions Knicks Karl-Anthony Towns Active Cleared from back spasms Knicks Josh Hart Active Back from ankle issue Kings DeMar DeRozan Active Primary scoring option Kings Malik Monk / Zach LaVine Active Bench scoring threat
Why this game matters
Before the injury, Brunson was averaging about 28 points and six assists per game. Since returning, he has shown no signs of slowing down. For the Knicks, this game is a chance to face Sacramento again with their offense fully intact, after falling apart in the earlier meeting once Brunson exited.Simply put, Brunson is healthy, the New York Knicks are close to full strength, and the matchup looks very different than it did two weeks ago.