As we relayed on Friday night, the statuses of Knicks forwards OG Anunoby (hamstring strain) and Josh Hart (abdominal soreness) going forward are up in the air, but the outlook for either being able to play and give 100% in Sunday’s Game 7 against the Pacers isn’t great, according to multiple outlets.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter video link; hat tip to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post), the Knicks are preparing to be without Anunoby for Game 7.
“The Knicks are going to have to beat Indiana without OG Anunoby,” Wojnarowski said prior to Game 6. “I’m told he would also be out for a Game 7 with that hamstring.”
The Knicks are 1-3 this postseason and 14-18 in total without Anunoby in their lineup since acquiring him in February — they’ve gone 26-5 when he has been available.
Hart, who has been something of an iron man for the Knicks, motioned to the sideline and asked to come out of Game 6 in the first quarter. As we detailed last night, he eventually came back in, but according to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, he was clutching his abdomen during every downbeat of the game.
“You never wanna see anybody get hurt, but it’s been our season,” Donte DiVincenzo said. “We have more than enough, whoever’s on the court. I’ve said it 100 times.”
As The Athletic’s Fred Katz writes, during this playoff run alone, the Knicks have lost Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic to season-ending injuries, Anunoby to his current hamstring strain, and Jalen Brunson briefly with a foot issue. Now there’s Hart, who had previously appeared in 81 of 82 regular season games and in all 12 of New York’s playoff games. Spotrac’s Keith Smith points out the Knicks are down to just four healthy players who appeared in the opening postseason game against the Sixers: Brunson, DiVincenzo, Isaiah Hartenstein and Miles McBride (Twitter link).
Reserves Alec Burks and Precious Achiuwa have become key contributors during the latter half of this playoff run and New York may need to go even deeper into its roster if Hart isn’t good to go. Jericho Sims, Shake Milton, DaQuan Jeffries and Mamadi Diakite are New York’s only other healthy roster pieces.
For what it’s worth, several Knicks players seemed optimistic about the chances of Hart playing. As Katz writes, Hart has seen more action than any other player in the league in the postseason and had a stretch of five games where he averaged more than 48 minutes per contest.
“Just knowing him, he’ll do whatever to play. If his leg’s not falling off I can probably say he’ll probably play,” Hartenstein said. “I haven’t talked to him. We’ll see. It’s hard. He’s done so much for us this season.”
In 12 playoff games, Hart has maintained averages of 14.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists, though he was held to five points, eight rebounds and three assists on Friday.
“There’s a lot of things obviously that physically don’t go our way with our team this year,” Brunson said. “I think our main focus is whoever we have out there, regardless of what you’re dealing with or anything — if you are out there, you are ready to go. Yes, Josh asked to come back out, but he went back in and gives everything he has. What more can you ask for from a teammate? Knowing the situation, we’re just going to have each other’s backs.”
the injuries are starting to pile up so much for the Knicks I don’t see them getting past the Celtics. Looks like the Pacers would do better against the Celtics. Next year will be there year to get to the finals.
both teams would get absolutely stomped
Hard to say because the Celtics are so inconsistent from game to game. On papers they should win but will they play every game like a game 7 or mail it in?
The Celtics are so inconsistent that of the teams that have advanced they have managed to play the least amount of postseason games so far. I mean they’ve lost two whole games!
They played 2 teams that they should beat. Knicks had the tougher playoffs series. You should just be glad they are in the East
Celtics had the best record didn’t they? Lots of blow out wins too. And a lot of close losses. The Celtics, Wolves & Thunder have been the only consistent teams this year.
Hart getting injured is a bad sign ….
Pacers don’t seize the opportunity. Then it’s on them.
They said Tibs plays players too much over his career.. Knicks fans say not an issue.. Knicks are showing they are breaking down. Still nothing to see? Guys like Burks, McBride, Precious, should’ve been playing more mins. Maybe Brunson, OG, Hart, among many others would be fresher now? Oh well game 7, I don’t see them winning without a healthy Hart.
The only injury that might be attributed to workload is Anunoby, and he’s been injury prone his whole career. The others are acute injuries from collisions with/takedowns by opposing players.
The Knicks’ heavy workload is inseparable from their never-say-die mentality. Thibs ain’t the problem – we wouldn’t be here without him.
You mean always say flop mentality
Gotta love the knicks
When they W they think they’re the 96 bulls
When they lose excuses come pouring out “but we’re injured. And we dont like afternoon games. And we dont play well away from msg.” Cryin whinin lil b*tches
If the semi’s give up the Knicks for ECF, the Celtics will have their hands full with whoever takes the Court for the Knicks. The Knicks possess that very desirable quality of Team Unity focused on winning.
Got any other zingers?