Jalen Brunson Sheds Brace in New Workout Photos as Knicks Prep for Title Defense

The New York Knicks are roughly two weeks away from opening their first title-defense training camp since the Nixon administration, and the most important left wrist in Manhattan appears to be right on schedule. A new workout photo surfaced over the weekend showing reigning Finals MVP Jalen Brunson putting up shots in a New Jersey gym. Crucially, his left arm is fully extended, and the wrist that required offseason surgery is completely bare—no brace, no wrap, no visible limitations.[1][3]

The image, captured by photographer Rich Fit Media and amplified by the New York Basketball social accounts on September 12, is the first visual confirmation of Brunson's recovery timeline. Following the championship parade in late June, the point guard immediately underwent a procedure to address a lingering tendon issue in his left wrist and forearm. The initial prognosis called for six to eight weeks of rehabilitation, targeting an early September return to full basketball activities.[1][3][5]

"My tendon and the structure of my wrist are fine," Brunson explained earlier this summer when detailing the injury. "There was soft tissue that was holding my tendon, and it kept flipping and snapping over the bone every time I shot, every time I flicked my wrist."[1]

The fact that Brunson was dealing with structural snapping on every jumper makes his postseason production borderline absurd. The issue first surfaced during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brunson recalled feeling a sudden weakness at the free-throw line in the second half, wondering where the pain was coming from. Rather than shutting it down, he simply played through the discomfort for the remainder of the playoffs.[1][3]

The results speak for themselves. Across the entire postseason, Brunson averaged 28.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds while steering the Knicks to a dominant 16-3 playoff record. He somehow elevated his game even further in the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 32.6 points per contest. In the Game 5 clincher, he poured in 45 points to secure New York's first championship since 1973 and claim unanimous Finals MVP honors.[1][3][4][5]

Now, the focus shifts entirely to retention. The Knicks open training camp on September 24, giving Brunson a solid runway to regain his rhythm before the games actually count. He had previously told the New York Post in late August that he "feels good" post-surgery and expected to be fully ready for the start of camp. The visual evidence of him letting his shot fly without hesitation backs up that optimism.[2][3]

The timing of his return is critical, because the Eastern Conference has reloaded specifically to hunt the defending champions. On October 20, the Knicks will raise their banner at Madison Square Garden before tipping off against the Philadelphia 76ers. That opening night matchup features a radically revamped Sixers roster that added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown over the summer to flank Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and rookie VJ Edgecombe.[3]

Facing a supersized Philadelphia perimeter defense on night one leaves zero room for a point guard playing through pain. Coach Nick Nurse's squad is built to test ball-handlers with extreme length, meaning Brunson will need his full bag of isolation moves and a healthy shooting stroke immediately to dictate the pace.[3]

While Brunson's regular-season averages of 26.0 points and 6.8 assists were already elite, his ability to finish through contact and manipulate defenders relies heavily on the strength of his off-hand and shooting wrist. The soft tissue repair ensures he won't have to compensate or alter his mechanics, which was a genuine concern when the injury was first disclosed in July.[5]

As the league prepares for the 2026-27 campaign, the overarching question was whether the Knicks' grueling playoff run would leave a physical hangover. With their floor general looking sharp and unencumbered in mid-September, New York's title defense is officially cleared for takeoff.[6]