The New York Knicks just caught the break they desperately needed. After watching star forward OG Anunoby limp off the court in Game 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers with a right hamstring strain, the fear was real.
But the latest word coming out of the Knicks insider is exactly what New York fans were hoping for and it could not have come at a better time heading into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Knicks OG Anunoby’s Scare Is Likely Over
GettyNew York Knicks Receive Massive OG Anunoby Take Ahead of Eastern Conference Finals
Knicks fans obviously panicked a bit when Anunoby was injured late in Game 2 vs Philly but the good news is the final diagnosis was a hamstring strain and OG missed only Game 3 and Game 4.
However, the Knicks managed to sweep the 76ers very comfortably by winning 108-94 in Game 3 and then 144-114 in Game 4, so in a way, it means OG now gets valuable extra rest before the Conference Finals.
On The Putback with Ian Begley, SNY’s trusted NBA insider, shared an encouraging take about Anunoby’s status. Begley indicated that Anunoby will likely be ready to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals and, importantly, he guesses there will be no minute restriction when OG steps back onto the floor. That is huge. A fully unleashed OG Anunoby, not one playing on a limited clock, is a completely different weapon for this team.
Ian Begley had also noted earlier, “This is not something that’s going to take weeks to come back from unless there’s some kind of setback.” That optimism from inside the organization is a massive green flag for Knicks fans everywhere.
OG Anunoby’s Impact on the Knicks Against the Pistons and Cavaliers
GettyIan Begley Drops Major OG Anunoby News That Every Knicks Fan Needed to Hear
The two teams on the other side of the bracket, the Detroit Pistons and the Cleveland Cavaliers, are both very familiar with how threatening OG Anunoby can be. In last year’s first-round playoffs against the Pistons, Anunoby performed above and beyond, averaging 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game over the six games.
Cade Cunningham, the franchise star for Detroit, was limited to 4-of-9 shooting from the field in a game where OG was marking him most closely. So, if the Pistons make it to the Conference Finals, they already understand his capabilities.
Against the Cavaliers, OG’s performance is just as commendable. For instance, during the first game of the 2025-26 season versus Cleveland, he scored 24 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and the Knicks won 119-111, with coach Mike Brown calling him a “monster” after the game.
He’s quite adept in neutralizing Cleveland’s stars-laden backcourt. Before the injury, his 2026 playoff stats were 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game, which supports the idea that he was at the peak of his career.
Knicks Get Huge OG Anunoby Injury Take Before Conference Finals