Knicks forward OG Anunoby, who exited Wednesday’s game after sustaining an apparent leg injury, has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and will be considered day-to-day, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). According to Charania, Anunoby is being listed as questionable to play in Game 3 in Philadelphia on Friday.
Anunoby appeared to suffer the injury on a missed dunk attempt with just over three minutes left in Game 2. The 28-year-old landed a little awkwardly and briefly grabbed at the back of his right leg, then was limping as he begin running up the court following the offensive possession (video link via NBA.com). He signaled to the bench that he needed to check out of the game and was subbed out shortly thereafter.
The diagnosis is probably a best-case scenario for the Knicks, given that a more severe hamstring strain can sideline a player for weeks or even months — Luka Doncic, notably, has been out since April 2 due to a Grade 2 strain. Anunoby’s day-to-day designation suggests his strain is a mild one.
Still, even a mild hamstring strain typically requires a recovery period of at least a few days, if not a week or two. Thunder forward Jalen Williams, who is currently recovering from a Grade 1 strain, hasn’t played since April 22.
While it sounds like Anunoby’s absence might not be an extended one, the team’s medical staff will want to ensure he’s not rushing back before he’s ready, since soft-tissue injuries can easily be aggravated if they’re not fully healed.
Anunoby is averaging a team-high 35.3 minutes per game so far in the postseason, so head coach Mike Brown will have to reconfigure his rotation if the two-way wing is forced to miss time. That would likely result in an increased role for reserve guard Miles McBride, who was part of the Knicks’ closing lineup on Wednesday following Anunoby’s exit. The team would probably lean a little more heavily on wings Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, with Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado among the other candidates for more playing time.
The Knicks hold a 2-0 lead in the series, but the Sixers came back from a 3-1 deficit in the first round, so New York won’t want to take its foot off the gas as the series shifts to Philadelphia.
Dude has so much trouble with his hamstrings.
Aside from Brunson, probably the most valuable player on this team. I recall being upset when the deal happened and IQ and RJ were moved for him, but looking at it today what a deal. Any time away will impact the team more than people would think.
He’s been so good for them. By far the best all around and most reliable player aside from Brunson
Too bad (it seems everytime he gets in a groove, he suffers some kind of injury, misses some games and then needs further time to regain his rhythm). Hopefully, it’s truly not serious, but hard to be too optimistic. OG has an amazing set of physical attributes, but being a quick healer isn’t one of them. And you can’t play through a hamstring.
In OG’s absence, Bridges has to step up. The ball should find him more, particularly if he hunts it, especially early in games. OG’s early aggressiveness can serve as his template. As the game wears on, the shots will lean more toward the top 2 options, but even then he’ll get his if he’s in a good grove. Also, Shamet needs to shed the mothballs, and contribute as well. I like him better than Clarkson against PHI.