SAN ANTONIO — When Jalen Brunson went down in Los Angeles a little over a week ago, with his ankle turned in the opposite direction, all eyes shifted toward Mikal Bridges as the man who needed to step up in his absence.

The New York Knicks might finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson revealed before the Knicks 110-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers that he hopes to return before the playoffs.

The New York Knicks have been treading water since Jalen Brunson sprained his ankle on March 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers. They are 7-5 without their All-Star point guard and still holding off the surging Indiana Pacers for the No.