Jose

Alvarado

Having fallen out of the Knicks’ rotation recently, Alvarado started Sunday’s regular-season finale and logged 34 minutes. Acquired from the Pelicans at a time when the Knicks were shorthanded on the perimeter, his opportunities may be limited during the playoffs. That said, Alvarado does not need much time to be a nuisance on the defensive end of the floor, so there may still be a role for him in the Knicks’ first-round series against the Hawks.

While Brunson will miss Sunday’s game due to injury management, Kolek will miss a fourth straight with a strained oblique. Jose Alvarado should play plenty, and Sunday’s game may be one where the Knicks look to get Miles McBride going, as he’s struggled since returning from sports hernia surgery.

Brunson and the Knicks took care of business on Friday, securing the No. 3 seed in the East with their win and Cleveland’s loss to Atlanta. As a result, fantasy managers in active leagues should plan for the possibility of Brunson not playing in Sunday’s game against the Hornets. If he sits, Jose Alvarado (12/5/2 with one three-pointer) would move into the starting lineup.

New York will lose two key reserves for Friday’s tilt, which means Ariel Hukporti and Jose Alvarado should be in line for additional minutes.

Brunson and Deuce will be available after sitting out Wednesday, and both should handle their typical workloads. Jose Alvarado, Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson should all see their minutes reduced with New York’s top two point guards available.

Alvarado gets the start for the injured Jalen Brunson (ankle) on the second night of a back-to-back. He’ll join the usual starters and will have a chance to increase his production on both ends of the floor. Jordan Clarkson could play an even bigger role off the bench.

McBride will be sidelined for the second leg of this back-to-back, which should lead to extra minutes for Jose Alvarado. Jalen Brunson (ankle) is questionable, so if he is out, Tyler Kolek should see a big bump in minutes as well.

Brunson struggled in Tuesday’s loss to Houston and could sit out the second leg of this back-to-back. If that happens, Jose Alvarado would get his second start for the Knicks, which should allow him to provide plenty of assists and steals.

McBride has been out since late January after undergoing surgery to address a sports hernia. Given a timeline of six to eight weeks, he appears to be closing in on a return to game action. With Landry Shamet (knee) out and deadline addition Jose Alvarado having struggled recently, getting McBride back would give the Knicks a welcome boost.

Knicks coach Mike Brown expected Brunson to be back for this game, and he was a full participant in practice on Thursday. Now, he’ll officially return, which will push Jose Alvarado back to the bench after a strong performance as a starter.