Nov 22, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and guard Josh Hart (3) react after a play against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nov 22, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and guard Josh Hart (3) react after a play against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jalen Brunson won the 2026 NBA Finals MVP with the New York Knicks despite playing through a wrist injury that eventually required surgery in July. Vincent Goodwill of ESPN recently appeared on the ‘NBA Today’ show to discuss the Knicks star’s recovery process as we are less than a few weeks away from training camp.
“One thing you didn’t see on Jalen Brunson’s wrist is a brace. He’s at about 80 to 85% after the wrist surgery that he had in July. Back to basketball activities now, he’ll have no restrictions when training camp begins in a couple of weeks.”
“I’m most surprised he produced that Finals performance with his wrist ailing him and requiring surgery. But he should be ready to go as training camp begins on September 29,” Vincent Goodwill said.
Brunson apparently got injured during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers. And still managed to pull off a historic performance in the NBA Finals.
He averaged 32.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 42.1% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc in five games against the Spurs.
Jalen Brunson has appeared on several prominent shows this summer to commemorate and promote the Knicks’ championship run, but he was never publicly seen with a brace on his left hand. This was the same hand that he fractured two summers ago and had to get surgery on.
The 30-year-old Knicks superstar wasn’t the only NBA champion playing through an injury in these playoffs. Josh Hart was also playing through a lingering nerve injury in the ring finger of his right hand throughout the season. But Hart plans to deal with that injury only after his career is over.
“No, I’ll let it go,” Hart said in late August to ‘Posting and Toasting’. “At the end of my career, when I’m done hooping, I’ll probably have to get a joint replacement in it, but for now it’s fine.”
Brunson and Hart’s injuries remind us of the physical challenges the Knicks’ core faced throughout their championship run. Jalen Brunson’s championship run was even more remarkable because he performed at a top level despite his wrist injury. This clearly shows the resilience of the Knicks’ core, with two of their best players refusing to let injuries hold them back.
With the regular season tipping off on October 20 and the Knicks set to face the 76ers on opening night, if Brunson starts the year healthy, the Knicks could be among the top candidates in the East for the first seed.
The Knicks will now hope their star guard can start the new season healthy and continue to lead the defending champions as his recovery progresses ahead of training camp.