New York Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson is officially cleared to play and expected to start against the Toronto Raptors in their Wednesday night matchup at Scotiabank Arena on January 28, 2026. His name does not appear on the Knicks' official injury report, confirming he is available without any restrictions or limitations.
Brunson's Availability Comes at Critical Time for Knicks
The timing of Brunson's full availability is particularly significant for New York, as the team is dealing with multiple injuries elsewhere in their rotation. This makes Brunson's presence even more crucial as they attempt to navigate a challenging road matchup against a tough Eastern Conference opponent.
Knicks' Injury Situation Beyond Brunson
While Jalen Brunson is fully cleared to play, several of his teammates are not as fortunate. Center Mitchell Robinson and guard Miles McBride have both been ruled out with ankle injuries, while forward Josh Hart is listed as questionable due to soreness in his right ankle. With these absences, the Knicks are expected to lean heavily on Brunson to run the offense and stabilize their lineup.
Brunson's clean injury status also confirms that the right ankle sprain he dealt with earlier in January is no longer an issue. The team has not indicated any minutes limit or workload concerns for the veteran guard, suggesting he will play his normal role without restrictions.
Brunson Entering Game in Strong Form
Jalen Brunson comes into this matchup playing some of his best basketball of the current season. He recently scored 28 points against the Sacramento Kings and followed that performance with 31 points against the Philadelphia 76ers. In his most recent matchup against Toronto, Brunson finished with an impressive 35 points while consistently beating the Raptors' perimeter defense.
These recent performances highlight how central Brunson has become to the New York Knicks' offensive system, particularly when scoring becomes difficult and possessions matter more in tight game situations.
No Limitations After Earlier Ankle Issue
Although Brunson did miss some time earlier this month due to a right ankle sprain, he has since returned to action without any apparent restrictions. With McBride unavailable and Hart's status uncertain, Brunson is expected to handle extended minutes and a high number of offensive touches throughout the game.
This likely means more late-clock possessions, additional isolation opportunities, and steady trips to the free-throw line as the Knicks look to manufacture offense against Toronto's defense.
Why Brunson's Presence Matters Against Toronto
Toronto has generally defended well at home this season, but the Raptors have shown some vulnerability against guards who can create off the dribble and read help coverage effectively. Brunson's ability to control the game's pace and attack mismatches gives New York a clear advantage in these specific situations.
With Robinson out of the lineup, the Knicks will need to rely more heavily on perimeter creation. Brunson's presence helps open space for Karl-Anthony Towns in pick-and-pop actions and creates cleaner looks for wing players like Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo.
What to Expect in Tonight's Matchup
The main defensive focus for Toronto will likely be how they choose to guard Brunson throughout the game. Whether it's Scottie Barnes taking the primary assignment or the Raptors employing rotating defenders, Toronto will need quick help defense and clean switches to contain the Knicks' point guard. Key aspects to watch include Brunson's three-point attempts, his decision-making late in quarters, and how frequently he gets to the free-throw line.
Brunson is not merely available for this game—he is positioned to be the central figure in the New York Knicks' offensive strategy once again, carrying significant responsibility given his teammates' injury situations.
