NBA
OG Anunoby & Jalen Brunson injury update after Knicks’ costly NBA Playoffs win
NEW York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has provided updates on stars Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby after both left Wednesday’s game.
Already down Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Knicks could ill afford to lose any more players.
However, the worst fears of New York fans everywhere were realized during the Knicks’ 130-121 Game 2 Conference Semifinal win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
Brunson left the game in the first and was initially listed as questionable to return with foot soreness.
Thankfully for fans, their star player was eventually able to return to the fold, finishing with 29 points, five assists, and two rebounds in 32 minutes on the court.
“He went in back, they worked on him, and then he warmed up,” Thibodeau said.
“We didn’t know if he was going to be able to go or not. He found a way to get it done.”
Thibodeau also revealed that Brunson never wanted to leave the game in the first place.
“I knew that there was something and then when he didn’t come back, we waited to hear from medical what they say,” he said.
“But I know that if he can go, he’s going to go. That’s who he is.”
Brunson said he was “all good” after the game, adding he didn’t know how he hurt his foot.
The Knicks playmaker revealed he didn’t have any imaging done but decided to check back in to see if he could move freely on the court.
“I had a decision to make and I made a decision,” Brunson said.
As for Anunoby, he wound up heading to the locker room in the third quarter before being ruled out with a sore left hamstring.
In 28 minutes, Anunoby racked up 28 points, four rebounds, and three assists.
Anunoby’s injury status remains unclear with Thibodeau admitting he was unsure if he would have any imaging done.
On Tuesday, the day after their 121-117 win in Game 1, the Knicks announced they would likely lose Robinson for the remainder of the playoffs.
The 7-foot center is dealing with an ankle injury and will be re-evaluated in 6-8 weeks.