Jalen Brunson is back, blare all New York’s alarms!

Amid a crucial stretch of games for many teams—not the Knicks—New York got the most anticipated and best possible news ahead of their back-to-back set of games through the weekend.

Yes, you guessed right: Jalen Brunson will return to the court either Saturday or Sunday, hopefully appear in four of the six remaining games, and earn the right to contend for season-end awards. Yessir!

Here’s what we’ve heard from Coach Thibs and a few other Knicks ahead of the games against the Hawks and Suns on Sat. and Sun.

Tom Thibodeau

On lineup decisions facing another back-to-back:

“It’s more of how (players) feel and what we think is best given all the factors that are involved, and just make a good decision.”

On Mitchell Robinson’s performance since returning from injury:

“Mitch [who missed the first four months of the season while recovering from ankle surgery] still isn’t where he will be. Each week he’s gotten better so it’s had a greater impact.

“I think as his time increases, the defense will get better, too, and there’s different looks that we can give, because when you have [Karl-Anthony Towns] and him and OG [Anunoby] across the front line, it’s hard to get the ball in the paint.”

On Brunson’s conditioning:

“From the first day out, he’s put a lot of time into that. I think that’s part of his awareness and obviously it was an ankle so it was a bit more challenging.

“But he spent a lot more time in the pool, on the bike, he’s been on it from the beginning. He was working out 2–3 times a day, but there’s nothing you can do that can replicate the intensity of a game.”

On Brunson’s return to team activities:

“He’s done a lot of individual stuff, but he hasn’t done any of the team stuff [until Friday].

“I think that part was really good. It was up and down, and the contact part is really the big thing.”

On Brunson’s leadership:

“He has a unique way of leading. Not a big rah-rah vocal guy. Most of those guys say all the right things and do none of them.

“I’m more like: What’s a guy do every day? Are you early to practice? Do you practice hard? Do you concentrate? Do you give maximum effort all the time? Are you a good teammate? Do you help lift people up? Those are the things I think are more important than yapping.

“Everything matters — rehab, getting to practice early, getting to the plane early, getting to the meetings early, staying late, coming back at night. You can’t fake that. There’s a lot of stuff in this league that gets faked. He doesn’t fake it. You can come by anytime, and you’ll see him. That’s why he doesn’t have to say anything. Everyone sees it.”

On making decisions for players returning from injury:

“When guys are coming back—they can look good today, which they all did—but then how do they feel tomorrow? It’s more of how they feel and what we think is best, given all factors involved. We just need to make a good decision.”

On Ariel Hukporti’s rehab status:

“He’s a ways away.”

OG Anunoby

On earning All-Defensive honors:

“It’s pretty important to me. It’s an effort thing. It’s playing hard and helping teams win. So I think it’s important.”

On deserving to win Defensive Player of the Year:

“That’s important too. I think I should be on first-team All-Defense. I think I should win Defensive Player of the Year.

“I’ve always felt that way.”

On how opponents play him:

“People don’t attack if I’m guarding them. Or they’ll call for a screen. I’ve noticed that over the years. I’ve always known it. I’ve always known people do that—like, calling for a screener to get me off them.

“There’s no stats for that. There’s no stat for picking up a dribble to pass. Or shot attempts—like no shot attempts, there’s no stat for that. So, they can’t really tell.

“And big men… they just always give (DPOY) to the big men.”

On his enhanced durability this season:

“Yeah, it’s always been a goal to get stronger as the year goes on. So I’m proud of it. Yeah, I worked really hard.”

On staying locked in late in the season:

“When I’m playing, for sure, playing hard and playing the right way. Then also thinking toward the playoffs and just being in rhythm for that. Knowing that’s what really matters.”

On team health nearing the playoffs:

“It’s good. Exciting for everyone to be almost back. It’s good to see everyone getting healthier.”

Josh Hart

On his ridiculous availability:

“I always said the biggest thing is availability when it comes to being in the league. I want to play as many games as I can.

“I want to play. Last year I played 81, should have played 82. I was kind of in a mood for that one game [against the Wizards on Jan. 18], so I ended up missing that one.

“Yeah, man, I want to play. It’s the first time in my career where I’m putting together high 70s, 80 games played. So that’s what I want to do.”

On staying fresh late in the season:

“I try to get a little bit more sleep. This is the time of the year when that sucks because I’ve got kids and want to spend time with them.

“At the beginning of the season, even if we get home at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., I’d be up at 7:30, 8 o’clock so I could see the kids. Now I might have to stay in bed a little bit longer and not see them when they go to school.

“I try to prioritize sleep a bit more, along with weight room work.”

On Brunson’s first team practice:

“He looked good. Got a lot of buckets, gave up a lot of buckets. So about normal.”

Kevin Garnett (Former NBA Player)

On Carmelo Anthony’s physicality:

“Melo, man… Before the conversion of the 3–4, I think [Denver] played with him at [the two or three]. And he was just too physical for the twos, and he was just too physical for the threes.

“He was the way more physical specimen in every matchup he played.”

Paul Pierce (Former NBA Player)

On guarding Melo:

“I didn’t mind guarding [Kobe] or Bron. You know, they’ll get their numbers and stuff, but I relish guarding them.

“Melo is trying to give you 40 and kind of hurt you doing it. Shouldering your chest, elbows, grabbing, all of that.

“I actually hated guarding Melo.”