Knicks forward OG Anunoby has been diagnosed with a sprained right foot, but head coach Tom Thibodeau said that initial X-rays on the injury were negative for a break, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
According to Begley, Thibodeau wasn’t sure on Saturday night whether or not Anunoby would undergo an MRI to assess the severity of the injury.
Anunoby played just 17 minutes before hurting the ankle during the Knicks’ 128-112 home loss to the Lakers on Saturday. He finished with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor.
On the year, the 6’7″ wing is averaging 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks per game through 49 appearances. He’s logging shooting splits of .482/.365/.792.
There’s more out of New York:
- If Anunoby’s injury proves to be significant after all, it could dash the Knicks’ postseason aspirations this spring, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link). Anunoby, who signed a five-year, $212.5MM contract last summer, is a crucial component of New York’s attack due to his versatility on both ends of the court. At 32-17, the Knicks have firmly established themselves as the East’s No. 3 seed. They’re four games ahead of the fourth-seeded Pacers. Still, New York has little room for error, as head coach Thibodeau has proven reticent to play his bench significant minutes, Bonds notes. A long-term absence for Anunoby would test the team’s depth.
- Thibodeau told reporters on Saturday that Knicks reserve center Mitchell Robinson is finally nearing a return to a full-contact team practice, reports Peter Botte of The New York Post. The veteran big man has been sidelined for the entirety New York’s 2024/25 season while recuperating from a May ankle surgery. Earlier this week, he began partaking in “light contact” practices for the first time since the injury. Robinson could be a key reserve or an intriguing trade chip for New York, should he be able to prove he’s healthy prior to the February 6 deadline.
- In case you missed it, two-way Knicks forward Jacob Toppin is nearing his limit for active NBA games this season.
Unfortunately, this was always a part of the Anunoby deal, the injury risk. He gets hurt and misses games every year, and is always slow to heal. Hopefully, this will be an exception, but it’s hard to be optimistic after last season.
Part of this is in Thibs. He plays the starters way too much. Thats good in the playoffs but playing starters 35-40 mins a night in January/February just shows he hasn’t learned anything from past
OG has a history of this though. Same thing happened in Toronto. Although Nurse is similar to Thibs in how hard he rides his starters.
LOL. Nothing to do with Thibs. The comical nature of this claim has been pointed out again and again, including, with the NYK, by his own players. Yet, you and your fellow 2k’ers continue to espouse this nonsense. So there is a failure to learn here, but not by Thibs.
“Part of this is in Thibs.”
Eh. OG’s minutes per game in his last two full seasons in Toronto were 36.0 and 35.6. Last season with the Knicks he had 34.9, this season he has 36.3. There’s effectively no difference. Unless you’re also arguing that Toronto played him too many minutes, I don’t think you can blame Thibs.
I think the correlation that is trying to be made is that his minutes in Toronto and NY have to do with his history of injuries.
I’d agree if OG were older, or if the injury occurred at the end of the game, but it happened midway. Injuries happen. They just happen to happen more often under Thibs. If Bridges goes down, then I will absolutely support the “it’s Thibs fault” banter.
This is why you keep their mins under 34. OG has always avg 34 mins a gm. He’s at 36.4 this yr. Need Mitch and another body.
Thankful it’s not serious. Just get healthy OG.
Mitch won’t be gm shape for 6-8 wks. So there is no need to rush him. Knicks still need to add scoring and size to bench. Boucher is a good fit imo.
Don’t think Knicks can move Mitch now. Best to wait till next yr. When his value will be higher.
What makes you say it’s not serious? X-Ray negative isn’t dispositive beyond there being no break.
Boucher would have be bought out before we could sign him, and we can’t sign him (or anyone else) until March.
Cause the replays showed he stepped bad alone. After gm they said it was a sprain. Then after gm the wrote. It happened earlier in gm. And active tweeted it again. So didn’t seem serious. Today he was ousted as questionable. So that’s where I got it. Like I said earlier. Needs time to heal.
And I’m not a fan of players playing more than 34 mins. Don’t need it in todays gm.
“Thibodeau wasn’t sure on Saturday night whether or not Anunoby would undergo an MRI to assess the severity of the injury.”
Knowing nothing about MRIs, why wouldn’t he just get one done? You’re paying this guy a ton of money. Wouldn’t you want to just make sure everything is OK? It’s not like the Knicks can’t afford it.
I’m sure OG will get one. But, unlike an X-Ray, an MRI can’t be done by the NYK training staff in the locker room same night. Need to schedule at HSS with team/player doctors. NYK will likely know by tomorrow. Fans will be lucky to know anything by the All Star break.
Exposure to the type of test. No need to do it unless necessary
Definitely an interesting last few days. I love my Knicks but looks like they could have had Luca for the assets they once had and OG can’t stay healthy. I’m still waiting what NEW York does at this year’s deadline.
OG has been listed as Questionable. Which is good news for Knicks. Take your time and get healthy.
link to nypost.com
“The team has not yet disclosed a potential timeline for Anunoby, but Thibodeau said after the game that Anunoby’s x rays were negative, and it’s unknown if Anunoby will get an MRI.”
I’m hoping for the best. Could be out wks. Best to heal, Looks like time will heal.
link to athlonsports.com
After the Mavs Lakers trade. It’s obvious Lakers need a big. They were looking for C with AD still there. Now they have to find one. I’d say what they need most is a rim protector rebounder. That’s how you protect Luka and Bron. That’s the best fit for this Lakers team.
I would think Mitch should be on Lakers radar. He can be their starting C for next 5 years. Just not giving him away. Knicks biggest need is bench scoring. Not sure LA has that. Still Lakers have to add a big now. So I don’t think they are gone.