The King of New York is reportedly on the mend. Thankfully for the Knicks, it doesn’t appear to be serious.
NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Jalen Brunson, who led New York to its first championship in 53 seasons, is undergoing left wrist surgery, according to ESPN, though the outlet is reporting that Brunson is expected to return to basketball activities later in the summer. ESPN also reported that Brunson played through an injury during the playoffs, though the Knicks never officially listed him on the injury report with any wrist injury designation.
Advertisement
Brunson did play with his left wrist bandaged at times, though his production in the playoffs did not waver; he averaged 28.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 19 playoff games this season. He was particularly impactful in the Finals, when he led the Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win New York’s first Finals since 1973.
1 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
1 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in five games to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
2 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
New York Knicks fans with a Dominican Republic flag pose for a photograph before the parade in New York City, New York, June 18, 2026.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
3 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
A New York Knicks fan poses for a photograph before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
4 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
5 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of police officers patrolling before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
6 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of the New York City Hall before the parade.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
7 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of New York Knicks fans before the parade.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
8 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Police officers patrolling before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
9 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
New York Knicks gather near Woolworth Building before the parade.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)
10 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
Fans arrive ahead of the New York Knicks Championship ticker tape parade and victory rally celebrating winning the 2026 NBA Finals on June 18, 2026 in New York City.
(Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images)
11 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of the One World Trade Center as New York Knicks fans queue before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
12 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
New York Knicks fans arriving by Subway before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
13 / 13
Knicks parade celebrates first NBA title since 1973. See the moment
General view of police officers patrolling as New York Knicks fans are seen before the parade.
(Eduardo Munoz, REUTERS)
In the decisive Game 5, dropped 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting. His play in the fourth quarters also helped New York complete remarkable comebacks, such as the improbable 29-point deficit the Knicks erased in Game 4.
Often, given the length and physical toll of an NBA season, players will opt to have minor procedures early in offseasons so that they can be fit to return before training camp. Though dates have not been set, the Knicks will probably report to camp around late September, which gives Brunson plenty of time to heal.
The Spurs series was a physical one for Brunson, who also momentarily left games following minor ankle injuries, though he always returned to action.
New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy during the city’s New York Knicks Parade on June 18, 2026.
“I’m hurting right now, I’m not going to lie to you,” Brunson told reporters June 13 after winning Game 5. “I’m hurting right now. But like I said before, the opportunity presented itself. Whatever you’ve got to do.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Knicks star Jalen Brunson undergoing left wrist surgery, per report
