Jalen Brunson is hoping to return for the New York Knicks before the playoffs begin in three weeks.

The All-Star guard missed his 12th consecutive game as the Knicks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 110-93 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Brunson sprained his right ankle in a 113-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at the beginning of March, a game in which he put up 39 points.

While he is unsure when he will be back on the court, Brunson is eyeing a comeback before the regular season draws to an end.

"Realistically, I'm hoping to play before the playoffs," Brunson said. 

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"I think it's good for me to get some game reps before we go into that type of stretch run, but most importantly I want to make sure I'm 100 per cent healthy.

"Obviously, I want to feel 100 per cent but a lot of this is also mental, just making sure I can trust everything I do. So it's just a conversation for us to have."

The Knicks have managed to secure a playoff spot in Brunson's absence and remain third in the Eastern Conference, despite having back-up point guards Deuce McBride and Cam Payne sidelined through injury.

They are next in action against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.