Is Jalen Brunson Playing Tonight Against Celtics? Exploring Knicks Injury Report Amid Playoff Push

The New York Knicks and Boston Celtics are set to go head-to-head at Madison Square Garden, but with the playoffs knocking on the door, this one isn’t just about wins—it’s about momentum, confidence, and maybe even sending a little message. But of course, the big question on every Knicks fan’s mind isn’t about seeding… It’s about ankles. Especially Brunson’s ankles.

Yup, once again, injuries are gatekeeping greatness. The Celtics are juggling a whole lot of “questionable,” while Knicks fans are refreshing their phones every five minutes to check if Jalen Brunson is suiting up. So, let’s break down who’s court-ready and who might be catching tonight’s action in sweats.

Court-Ready or Couch-Ridden?

First, the good news: Jalen Brunson (ankle) and Miles McBride (groin) are both listed as probable for tonight’s game. That’s not a 100% green light, but it’s a strong lean toward “they’re playing.” Brunson’s presence is huge, especially considering he’s averaged nearly 20 points per game against Boston over his career—including a sizzling 36-point outing in February. Knicks fans can exhale… for now.

On the flip side, Ariel Hukporti (knee) is firmly out and, according to Coach Thibs, still “a ways away” from touching the floor this season. No real surprise there, but it’s another big body unavailable when it matters most.

Now, Boston’s injury list reads more like a CVS receipt. Jayson Tatum (ankle), Jaylen Brown (knee), and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) are all questionable. That’s a trio that combines for 60+ points per game just hanging in limbo. Al Horford is definitely out (knee), while Jrue Holiday (knee) and Derrick White (toe) are probable, meaning we’ll probably see their usual two-way magic.

Lengthy injury report for the Celtics ahead of tomorrow night’s game vs. the Knicks, which is the front end of a back-to-back:

Out: Al Horford

Questionable: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis

Probable: Derrick White, Jrue Holiday

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) April 7, 2025

If you’re keeping score, that’s potentially half the Celtics’ starting lineup either limping or sneezing their way to tip-off.

Stats Don’t Lie… But They Sure Do Talk

If we’re going off the last 20 games, the Knicks have been flexing in a quiet but scary way. OG Anunoby is averaging 23.6 points and hitting 3.1 threes per game, while Josh Hart has basically turned into a walking triple-double alert. Karl-Anthony Towns, since arriving, has been grabbing 9.8 boards and pouring in 20.5 points—but it’s his defensive rebounding that’s quietly stabilizing New York.

Boston, on the other hand, is still a three-point flamethrower. They lead the league with 17.9 threes per game, and Derrick White’s 3.5 per game is good for fourth in the NBA. Even Payton Pritchard has stepped up, averaging 13.4 points over the last 20 games—yeah, that’s not a typo.

Let’s not forget the Celtics beat the Knicks 118-105 back on February 23 at TD Garden. Tatum dropped 32, Brown added 24, and the Celtics forced 15 turnovers while shooting 45% from deep. Still, Brunson held his own with 22 points in that one, and the Knicks are a very different beast now.

Apr 4, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) handles the ball against Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s where it gets juicy: the Knicks are sitting at 50-28, currently the third seed in the East. Boston is second at 58-20, and while they’ve clinched their playoff position, the Knicks are still trying to hold off the Pistons and Pacers to lock in home-court advantage for the first round. So yeah—this game has playoff vibes written all over it.

If the Celtics rest their stars, it’s a golden opportunity for New York to land a statement win. But if Tatum and Brown suit up, this might just be the most entertaining chess match of the week.

So, will we see Brunson do Brunson things tonight? All signs point to yes. And with Boston possibly missing its firepower, the Knicks have a real shot at flexing their full playoff potential in front of a fired-up Garden crowd.

But hey, whether you’re Team Tatum or Team Thibs, one thing’s for sure—this one’s gonna be fun.