Jalen Brunson returns to Knicks lineup after nagging foot injury

Jalen Brunson returned to action for the Knicks on Saturday.

After he practiced Friday and went through warmups, the team announced that Brunson would be ready to face the Denver Nuggets at the Garden.

Brunson has missed five of the last six games with a left foot injury, which he called a bone contusion on Friday.

“It makes us feel whole again,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said before the game.

In fact, getting Brunson back was a big step for the Knicks.

The point guard was averaging 23.8 points and 6.1 assists per game going into Saturday, and even though the Knicks went 3-3 while he was injured, he’s hard to replace.

Thibodeau did not commit to whether there would be a minute restriction for Brunson against Denver, which leads the Western Conference with a 47-23 record.

“You’ll be able to tell if he needs an earlier break or whatever he needs,” Thibodeau said. “You’re going to have guidelines to use, but there’s no hard 30 minutes and 30 seconds, it’s 28 minutes and 22 seconds. [as a limit]. Okay, here’s a guide and we go from there.”