Why Isn’t OG Anunoby Playing Tonight vs Pacers? Possible Return Timeline For 26YO Amid Game 3 Absence

The New York Knicks recently defeated the Indiana Pacers once again to establish a 2-0 win record during the ongoing semifinal series. While the same wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of lead scorer Jalen Brunson, another player whose contribution cannot be underestimated is small forward OG Anunoby. With three major scorers of the team being out of the main lineup due to injuries, he has successfully managed to share and carry the offensive load along with the other players. Unfortunately, he now finds himself joining the other injury-ridden athletes after developing a hamstring strain. With that, his availability for the next game remains under a cloud of doubt.

A few hours ago, ‘SNY’ journalist Ian Begley took to his official X account to provide an update on OG Anunoby’s condition. Quoting information from two other sources, he highlighted how players who develop the same condition as the Knicks star are away from the court for an average of 13 days. While the Knicks need just two more wins to head to the Eastern Conference Finals, the series can be extended by a couple of days if the series turns in favor of the Pacers. Even with that additional time, however, Anunoby may not return until the Knicks’ semifinal run concludes.

Things were all right for the 26-year-old player as he entered Game 2. In fact, by scoring 28 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, he recorded his highest score total after 38 games. However, during the second half, he attempted to make a layup by rushing to the other side of the court and ended up injuring his leg. Hopping on the sidelines as the game continued, Anunoby later turned to the locker room and didn’t return. Fortunately, his contribution had helped the Knicks put up a wide score gap (90-81) between themselves and their rivals. The game concluded with the team winning by a score of 130-121.

While Anunoby has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain, the severity of that injury is yet to be specified. Therefore, the timeline of his return can vary greatly. Either he might return around Game 5 of the Knicks-Pacers clash or, if his team eliminates their rivals from the tournament, meet the rest of the roster right in the middle of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks had to already remove Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Bojan Bogdanovic from the main lineup after all three developed injuries. Furthermore, lead scorer Jalen Brunson is listed as questionable on the Injury Report. One would be lying if they didn’t say things do not look good for the New York Knicks heading into Game 3.

Why is OG Anunoby’s availability important for the Knicks?

Possessing a hamstring strain at this crucial stage of the tournament is no joke. It is the same injury that prevented Milwaukee Bucks lead scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo from being available during the first round of the playoffs. As a result, his team lost 4 out of 6 games against the Pacers and got eliminated. It is the same injury that prevented Zion Williamson from leading the New Orleans Pelicans when they faced the Oklahoma City Thunder. The consequences were seen in the 0-4 record secured by the Pelicans. With OG Anunoby being out, the Knicks find themselves in a similar situation.

During the regular season, the small forward had recorded an average score of 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 50 games. The same average sore slightly during the playoffs, going up to 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Anunoby missed 18 games, from the 29th of January to the 10th of March. In that period, the Knicks had an 8-10 win record. He was efficiently able to circumvent the Pacers’ defense during the recent game, with three major Knicks players being absent and Jalen Brunson getting sidelined for 1.5 quarters.

OG Anunoby may not be the lead scorer for the New York Knicks. However, his availability can mean all the difference in the franchise’s chances of making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.