The New York Knicks have received troubling news ahead of their pivotal Game 3 matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Key starter OG Anunoby has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain and is currently listed as day-to-day, with his status officially questionable for Friday night's contest, according to multiple reports from New York.
The severity of this injury is the critical question. If it's merely a minor tweak, Anunoby could miss just a game or two at most. However, if this is a Grade 1 strain—even a mild one—the standard recovery timeline stretches to at least one to two weeks. That would likely sideline him for the remainder of this second-round series, which the Knicks currently lead 2-0.
The injury appeared to occur in the final minutes of Game 2. Anunoby took a quick step, grabbed at the back of his right leg, but remained on the court for a few more seconds. He still rose for a dunk—which was blocked by Paul George—and immediately showed signs of pain upon landing. He signaled to the bench to be taken out of the game right after.
Any absence is a significant blow to the Knicks. Anunoby has been a force in these playoffs, averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting an incredible 53.8% from three-point range on nearly five attempts per contest. He's also the team's premier defender, making his potential absence a major concern for New York's depth and defensive identity.
If Anunoby is unable to go, expect Miles McBride and Landry Shamet to see increased minutes. Head coach Mike Brown may also turn to double-big lineups featuring Mitchell Robinson, provided he's healthy for the next game.
