Knicks star Brunson will return on Sunday after missing 15 consecutive games

Knicks star Jalen Brunson is expected to return to action against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday after missing the past 15 regular season games with a sprained right ankle, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Thursday.

The 28-year-old Jalen Brunson mainly plays as a point guard and was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 33rd pick in the second round in 2018. He played for the Mavericks for four seasons and signed a four-year, $104 million contract with the New York Knicks on July 12, 2022.

So far this season, Brunson has played 61 times for the Knicks, averaging 26.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.5 minutes per game, shooting 49.0% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range. However, he has been out since the Knicks lost to the Los Angeles Lakers due to a sprained right ankle, during which time the Knicks have a record of 9 wins and 5 losses.

The Knicks are currently ranked third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 49 wins and 28 losses, leading the Indiana Pacers by three games with only five regular season games left. If Brunson returns as scheduled on Sunday, he will have plenty of time to recover before the playoffs.