CHICAGO — OG Anunoby could be on the verge of his second return.
The defensive stalwart, who missed nine straight games because his surgically-repaired elbow “flared up,” was upgraded to questionable for Friday night’s game against the Bulls.
Anunoby has missed nine consecutive games with either elbow inflammation or elbow tendinopathy, which followed arthroscopic surgery in February to remove a loose bone.
His presence has translated to great success for the Knicks, who are 15-2 with him available.
However, he’s sat the majority of games since being acquired from the Raptors on Dec. 30.
The Knicks (45-31) enter Friday fifth in the East because they lost the tiebreaker to Orlando (45-31).
The Bulls (36-40) are jockeying for a play-in spot.
Anunoby’s return would be a much-needed boost to a lineup that has stayed afloat despite major injuries — including a season-ender to Julius Randle — but has relied on consistent 40-plus minute nights from Josh Hart and Miles McBride.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Thursday that Anunoby recently returned to practice.
“OG’s doing well. He’s getting closer,” Thibodeau said. “So we’re optimistic, cautiously optimistic with that one.”
The Knicks are playing in the second night of a back-to-back so didn’t hold a morning shootaround in Chicago.