Jalen Brunson is day-to-day with a left wrist and forearm injury and is scheduled for surgery Tuesday that is expected to require at least two months of rehab, according to Ian Begley of SportsNet New York. The Knicks open the 2026-27 season Oct. 5 at the 76ers with Brunson's availability for that game not announced.
What happened
Jalen Brunson is listed day-to-day on the Sept. 6 injury report with a left wrist and forearm issue. No previous designation is listed. The guard is set to have surgery on the wrist and forearm area Tuesday, and the procedure is expected to require at least two months of rehab, according to Ian Begley of SportsNet New York. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1. Brunson, 30, is coming off a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 26.0 points, 6.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds over 35.0 minutes across 74 games.
What it means for the Knicks
The Knicks open the 2026-27 season Oct. 5 at the 76ers, and the schedule does not yet show whether Brunson will be available that night. Last season he ran the offense at 35.0 minutes, 26.0 points and 6.8 assists a game, numbers the Knicks will need to replace if he is out for the opener. Without him on the floor, New York's returning rotation last season leaned on OG Anunoby (33.2 minutes, 16.7 points), Mikal Bridges (32.8 minutes, 14.4 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (31.0 minutes, 20.1 points) to carry extra minutes and shot volume. The Knicks are 0-0 with the season not yet underway, so there is no record to measure with or without Brunson yet.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Brunson's status changes as he approaches Tuesday's surgery. The only return timeline attached to this report is Oct. 1, four days before New York's Oct. 5 opener at the 76ers, though Begley's reporting points to a recovery of at least two months. Also on the report, Mohamed Diawara is day-to-day with a finger and arm issue. Watch for updates on both before the opener.
Is Jalen Brunson playing at 76ers on Mon, Oct 5?
Brunson is day-to-day with a left wrist and forearm injury and is set for surgery Tuesday. His availability for the Oct. 5 opener at the 76ers is not announced.
When will Jalen Brunson be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 1, though Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports the surgery is expected to require at least two months of rehab.