Knicks at Kings - Will Jalen Brunson, De'Aaron Fox Play?

There will be no lack of star power when the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings square off on Thursday night, as both Jalen Brunson and De'Aaron Fox are poised to play.

A pair of collegiate Wildcats are apparently ready to do battle in a nationally-televised NBA contest on Thursday night.

All signs are pointing toward Villanova alum Jalen Brunson matching up against Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox as the former's New York Knicks visit the latter's dwelling in Sacramento (10 p.m. ET, TNT). It's a battle of upstart squads trying to end different brands of postseason futility, a game that unexpectedly drew national cameras. 

Brunson has missed each of the last two games with a foot injury that forced him into the Knicks' locker room last Friday in Miami. Though he returned to partake in the penultimate-second win over the Heat, he did not play against Boston or Charlotte. The Knicks topped Boston on the road but saw their nine-game winning streak end against the lowly Hornets at home on Tuesday.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau seemed to imply that Brunson would be available, with Thursday's warm-ups serving as the last barrier. 

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau says Jalen Brunson (foot) will go through his warmups and “if he’s good he will go” vs. the Kings tonight.

— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) March 10, 2023

Fox has been the face of the Sacramento Kings' resurgence, one that has them in second place in the Western Conference as they seek to end a 17-year postseason drought that stands as the longest among the so-called "Big Four" North American professional sports leagues. Fresh off his first NBA All-Star appearance, Fox did not play in Sacramento's Monday win over New Orleans due to a hamstring issue but no longer appears on the team's injury report with the Knicks' visit looming.

Kings management appeared to believe that if Monday's game had a larger meaning, Fox would've been on the floor. Head coach Mike Brown sounded plenty confident that he would have the services of his star player.

“He’s most likely to go," Brown said, per Chris Biderman of the Sacramento Bee. “Obviously he’s got to get with our medical people and he’ll be evaluated come (Thursday), but he’ll most likely play."

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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