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Brunson Answers His Doubters By Showing Up To Camp

The New York Post says an ESPN analyst ranks him below sixth. Cleared and healthy, he answers on the floor instead.

26.0 ptsBrunson's scoring average last season
By the Knicks Nightly Desk · Saturday, September 26

Jalen Brunson was fully cleared for training camp this week, per Hoops Rumors, closing the book on his offseason wrist surgery. Two days later, the New York Post reported an ESPN analyst ranks him below the league's sixth-best player — a debate that means nothing with the preseason opener nine days out.

Knicks Nightly artwork
Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Cleared For Camp

Brunson goes into camp fully cleared after offseason wrist surgery, according to Hoops Rumors. He arrives healthy off a season that ended with a championship and a Finals MVP trophy, which makes the timing of the doubts curious.

The Take

The New York Post reported an ESPN analyst ranks Brunson below the NBA's sixth-best player, calling him "much worse." Last season he averaged 26.0 points, 6.8 assists and shot 36.9 percent from three across 74 games — numbers a title team built its whole system around.

Nine Days Out

New York opens the preseason October 5 at Philadelphia, then hosts Washington on October 8 and Minnesota on October 12 before a road trip to Toronto on October 13. The regular-season opener comes October 20 at home against the 76ers, on NBC and Peacock.

Spots Still Open

Camp hasn't settled everything. Bruce Brown, who arrived in a move from Denver, is on a non-guaranteed deal, and the fight for the roster's last spot is still unresolved.

Bottom Line

Rankings are a parlor game. Brunson has a ring and a Finals MVP that say more than any list, and camp is where he answers back.

Is Jalen Brunson healthy for Knicks training camp?

Yes. Hoops Rumors reported Brunson is fully cleared after offseason wrist surgery.

When do the Knicks play their first game of the 2026-27 season?

The preseason opens October 5 at Philadelphia, and the regular-season opener is October 20 at home against the 76ers on NBC and Peacock.

By the Knicks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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