For the New York Knicks to go up 3-0 on the Indiana Pacers, they will have to do so without the help of OG Anunoby.
The Knicks provided an update Thursday on their forward Anunoby, who had to exit Wednesday’s victory in Game 2 because of a sore left hamstring. Anunoby is now officially listed as out for Game 3 in Indiana on Friday with what is now being termed as a “left hamstring strain.” Star teammate Jalen Brunson is also listed as questionable for Friday’s game due to a foot injury.
Anunoby, 26, was the Knicks’ big midseason trade acquisition this year. He is the team’s best, most versatile defender and was a 39.4 percent three-point shooter this season as well. Anunoby submitted his best game of the playoffs before exiting late in the third quarter on Wednesday. He scored 28 points on four triples in just 28 minutes to help the Knicks erase a double-digit halftime deficit and beat the Pacers (despite Brunson being hobbled).
It is probably not a good sign that Anunoby is now said to have a strain (nor is it a good sign that he has been ruled out over 24 hours before Game 3 tips off). Anunoby struggled with injuries for much of the regular season and has now suffered another very concerning issue, especially since the Knicks will be playing just about every other day for the rest of the series. In Anunoby’s absence on Friday (and perhaps beyond), Josh Hart figures to take on more two-way duties, and Precious Achiuwa, who closed Wednesday’s game after Anunoby exited, may be a candidate to enter the starting lineup.
