Is Jalen Brunson playing tonight? Exploring Knicks superstar's availabilty for opening night clash vs Celtics | 2024 NBA season

Jalen Brunson will be one of the key names to watch out for as the new-look New York Knicks take on defending champions Boston Celtics on opening night at the TD Garden on Tuesday (Oct. 22).

The Knicks star guard has been looked as the franchise's cornerstone as the side made the playoffs for two consecutive seasons after he was traded to NY from the Dallas Mavericks ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The Knicks have all of their key players suiting up for the marquee clash, and Brunson is expected to play in their season opener as they look to dampen the Celtics' ring night celebrations. The guard is not listed in the Knicks' injury report at the time of writing. He played four games in the preseason, averaging 21.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists, and has looked healthy throughout the practice games.

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"We have the mental toughness": Jalen Brunson on tuning out the outside noise

After swinging for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges this offseason, the Knicks cemented themselves as legitimate contenders for the championship with their roster built around Jalen Brunson. The All-Star guard, known for his relentless scoring prowess and astute game-awareness now has a team that supports his skill set, making the expectations nothing short of a title.

The 28-year-old believed that the Knicks had what it takes to achieve their objective while also adding that it was essential for the side to tune out the outside noise:

"Regardless of what people say, whether it’s positive or negative, we have to have mental toughness and just worry about what’s going on inside of this building, inside this organization. You can’t listen to the positive and not listen to the negative. That’s just not how it works."

Brunson has been a vital cog for NY in his two seasons. In the last edition, he averaged 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.6 rebounds in 77 games earning an All-Star nod. The Villanova product has enjoyed a productive outing against Boston, averaging 18.7 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds in 16 games against the Celtics in his career. While with the Knicks, he played eight games against the East powerhouse averaging 25.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.

Much of the New York Knicks' hopes hinge on Jalen Brunson and his impactful two-way play. If he can replicate his form from the last two seasons, NY will feel that it has a bona fide chance of making a deeper run.