The energy at Madison Square Garden has been... let's just say a little tense lately. If you've been following the standings, you know the New York Knicks have hit a bit of a wall. It's not just that they're losing—they've dropped eight of their last ten—it’s the fact that the "Next Man Up" philosophy is being pushed to its absolute breaking point.
When Jalen Brunson went down just five minutes into the game against Sacramento on January 14, every Knicks fan collectively held their breath. Ankle. Again. The latest NY Knicks injury update actually looks a lot better than it felt that night, but there’s still a ton of nuance to cover if you're trying to figure out when this team will actually look like a contender again.
The Jalen Brunson Situation: Is It Time to Panic?
Honestly, watching Brunson roll that right ankle while sizing up Maxime Raynaud was brutal. He didn't come back that night, and he’s been sidelined for the subsequent losses to Golden State and Phoenix. But here is the thing: he’s not in a walking boot. He’s not on crutches.
Coach Mike Brown (who has been handling the reins) was pretty blunt about it before the Suns game on Saturday. He basically said the team isn't concerned long-term. Brunson was actually upgraded to "questionable" just hours before tip-off against Phoenix, which usually means the swelling has subsided enough for him to test it on the court.
He didn't play, obviously. The Knicks lost 106-99. But the fact that he was even a game-time decision suggests that his return is imminent. We’re likely looking at a Monday return against the Dallas Mavericks, his former team. That would be a very "Brunson" moment to come back and steady the ship.
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Josh Hart and the "Precautionary" Tag
Josh Hart is the engine of this team. Everyone knows it. When he’s not out there diving for loose balls or grabbing ten rebounds as a wing, the Knicks look flat. He missed nearly three weeks after a nasty ankle incident on Christmas Day against Cleveland, came back for a couple of games, and then sat out again this past Saturday.
Is it a setback?
Brown says no. He called it "right ankle soreness" and mentioned the team is being "cautious, especially this time of year." Hart played both ends of a back-to-back on Wednesday and Thursday. For a guy who plays with the intensity of a caffeinated honey badger, that’s a lot of strain on a recently healed joint. They're basically protecting him from himself. Expect him to be day-to-day alongside Brunson.
The Frontcourt Fatigue
While the guards are getting the headlines, the big men are quietly struggling through their own issues.
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- Mitchell Robinson: He’s officially in "Injury Management" mode. He’s been in and out of the lineup with that persistent ankle issue. On January 15, he was listed as day-to-day. He’s basically playing on a pitch count, which is why you see his minutes fluctuate so wildly.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: KAT had a bout with illness earlier in January and has dealt with knee and calf "tweak" designations throughout December. He's playing, but he looks like he's carrying a massive load with Robinson frequently sidelined.
- Guerschon Yabusele: He’s been dealing with a quad issue since January 9. He’s another one listed as day-to-day, but he’s been forced into more minutes than the training staff probably likes because of the lack of depth.
Landry Shamet and the Forgotten Depth
Remember Landry Shamet? He’s been out for weeks with a shoulder injury that really thinned out the backcourt. There’s a silver lining here, though. Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reported that Shamet finally returned to on-court action and practiced with the team.
He might actually suit up in the next few days. With Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson (who the Knicks have been leaning on heavily) looking a bit gassed, getting a floor-spacer like Shamet back would be huge for the second unit’s spacing.
Why This Slump Matters for the Trade Deadline
The Knicks are currently 25-16, sitting around 2nd or 3rd in the East depending on the hour, but they’ve been "less successful than everybody but the Utah Jazz" since the calendar flipped to 2026. That is a quote that should keep Leon Rose up at night.
Because of these injuries, the front office is seeing exactly what happens when the "Iron Five" isn't ironclad. There are already rumors—Sam Vecenie at The Athletic mentioned a mock trade involving Yabusele and Pacôme Dadiet for Jeremy Sochan. While just a rumor, it highlights the reality: the Knicks need more bodies that can actually stay on the floor.
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The NY Knicks injury update isn't just a list of names; it's a map of why the offense has looked so stagnant. Without Brunson to collapse the paint, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges are forced to create their own shots, which isn't exactly their primary "A-plus" skill set.
What You Should Expect Next
If you're looking for a silver lining, it's that none of these are "season-ending" disasters. No ACLs, no Achilles, no surgeries.
- Watch the Monday Shootaround: If Jalen Brunson participates fully, he’s playing against Dallas. Period.
- Monitor Josh Hart’s Status: If he sits Monday, then the "soreness" might be more significant than the "precautionary" label suggests.
- The Shamet Return: Keep an eye on the G-League or practice reports. If he’s cleared for contact, he’ll likely get a 10-15 minute stint later this week to test that shoulder.
The Knicks are in a rough patch, but the "Sky is Falling" narrative is a bit premature. They're beat up, not broken. The real test is whether they can get everyone back for a sustained run before the All-Star break in February.
Actionable Insight: If you're betting or playing fantasy, hold off on starting any Knicks secondary players like Miles McBride until Brunson's status is officially confirmed 30 minutes before tip-off. His return drastically changes the usage rates for the entire roster.