Is Jalen Brunson playing tonight vs the Boston Celtics? Latest update on the New York Knicks star's injury report (February 8, 2026)

Jalen Brunson will play when the New York Knicks take on the Boston Celtics on February 8, 2026 at TD Garden. The guard is active, in the starting lineup, and does not carry an injury tag for the game.There is no indication of a minutes limit or restriction. After briefly dealing with an ankle injury earlier in the season, Brunson has returned to his regular role and is expected to run the offense against Boston.

Jalen Brunson's injury report vs the Boston Celtics (February 8, 2026)

Jalen Brunson is not listed as injured, questionable, or out on the Knicks’ latest injury report. Pre-game lineup projections also place him at point guard and this sort of solidifies the fact that he is going to play tonight vs the Celtics.Game previews and betting lines show no movement tied to his availability, which usually reflects that a player is fully expected to play. While lineup changes can happen close to tip-off, nothing currently suggests that will be the case here.

Quick recovery after January ankle injury

Brunson sprained his right ankle in Sacramento on January 14. He played only five minutes before leaving the game and missed the next contest against Golden State. At the time, the team labeled him day-to-day.

His performances since returning have eased any concern. On February 4, he recorded 42 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in a double-overtime win over Denver. He has continued to log heavy minutes without reappearing on the injury report.

Why his availability matters in Knicks vs Celtics

The standings underline the importance of this matchup. New York Knicks enters the game at 33-19, third in the Eastern Conference, while Boston is 34-18 and sits second.Brunson is averaging about 27.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 3.3 rebounds this season.

His shot creation and decision-making shape the Knicks’ half-court offense, especially late in games.He has also been able to score steadily against Boston’s switching defense As a result, Brunson has been giving New York a dependable option in a matchup that could be a solid contender for a postseason contest. When Brunson is off the floor, the Knicks’ offense has shown signs of slowing and as a result his presence is very important for tonight's game.How to confirm before tip-offChecking the official Knicks injury report or the NBA game page shortly before the game remains the simplest way to confirm player status. “Active” or no designation signals availability, while a late change would appear there first.Also read: New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics injury report: Who's playing, injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (February 7, 2026)As of now, Brunson is set to lead the Knicks into TD Garden with no injury concerns and his usual responsibilities intact.