New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was seen on Saturday for the first time since undergoing surgery on his left wrist, with the hand and wrist wrapped and in a sling.
Brunson visited The Other Lucy Beach Grille in Margate, New Jersey. The sighting comes almost a month after he led the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973. He underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a tendon issue in his left hand and wrist, an injury he managed throughout the Knicks’ playoff run.
Brunson’s recovery is projected to take six to eight weeks, which would allow him to be ready for the Knicks' title defense later this year. Despite the discomfort, Brunson delivered a high-level performance during the championship series. In the final game against the San Antonio Spurs, he scored a Knicks Finals record 45 points, following a 36-point performance in the previous game where the team overcame a 29-point deficit. He averaged 32.6 points per game in the Finals overall.
Following the championship-clinching Game 5, Brunson acknowledged experiencing pain, stating, “I’m hurting right now. I’m not going to lie to you. I’m hurting right now. But like I said before, the opportunity presented itself.”
Brunson also confirmed he would attend WWE’s “Saturday Night’s Main Event” at Madison Square Garden this weekend, an appearance prompted by an invitation from wrestler Roman Reigns. The restaurant where Brunson was photographed noted his visit as an inspiring moment, with a caption from the H.O.P.E. program-run establishment reading, “Thank you, Jalen, for taking the time to inspire, uplift, and show that even a small act of kindness can have a lasting impact. Robert will never forget this special moment, and neither will we.” The message also congratulated him on his season and championship, adding, “We wish you continued success both on and off the court. Thank you for inspiring the next generation and for showing what great leadership looks like. We truly appreciate your visit and hope to see you again soon.”