Jalen Brunson Injury Update Has Knicks Positioned to Make NBA Title Push Amid Rumors

The New York Knicks have noticeably lacked some pep in their step of late.

A timely return from a right ankle injury by their All-Star floor general—and high man in both points and assists—Jalen Brunson could not only help them find their footing, he just might propel them back into the NBA championship chase.

A sprained ankle has cost him the last three weeks, but his rehab is reportedly "progressing faster than initially anticipated," per SNY's Ian Begley. While it's still unclear exactly when Brunson will be back, Begley added there is "no thought" of Brunson being at risk of missing the rest of the regular season.

That's a game-changing kind of update for New York.

The Knicks have assembled a formidable roster around him, complete with an offensive co-star (Karl-Anthony Towns), a couple of lock-down wing defenders (Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby) and a host of fill-in-the-cracks role players. It is, when full strength, one of basketball's best collections of talent.

It's also not to built to survive without Brunson, the franchise centerpiece and proverbial head of the snake.

He makes everything happen for the players around him. His paint probes collapse opposing defenses and free up spot-up shooters and off-ball cutters. His pick-and-roll prowess gives this offense more purpose and direction, since he is equally adept at converting his own looks and finding them for others.

And when all else fails, he is their best make-something-out-of-nothing bucket-getter.

The offense doesn't have nearly as much zip without him. The Knicks have posted an offensive rating of 118.3 with him and only 113.3 without, per NBA.com. For context, the former would rank fifth overall this season while the latter would check in at 18th.

Karl-Anthony Towns is New York's only player with a higher on-court offensive rating (119.1). And Brunson's fingerprints are sort of all over that number, too, since 58.5 percent of Towns' field goals and 97 percent of his threes come off of assists, and no one sets him up more than Brunson.

The Knicks are his team, and they're a potentially elite one when he's leading the charge.

If his injury happens to linger much longer, this otherwise strong season could unravel in an instant. They don't have enough offensive punch to hang in the ring with hoops heavyweights.

If he makes it back sooner than later, though, and looks like himself, then everything is suddenly back on the table for the 'Bockers. This may not be the title favorite even with Brunson, but it absolutely deserves a spot in the championship conversation if he's at full-strength.