The New York Knicks appear to be moving toward a much healthier start to the Eastern Conference Finals.
ESPN insider Shams Charania reported on SportsCenter that there is an expectation that Knicks forward OG Anunoby will be able to play in Game 1, barring any setbacks. Charania said there is “optimism” around Anunoby’s status and that the expectation and hope is that he will be available when the Knicks open the next round.
That is a significant development for New York, which finished off the Philadelphia 76ers without Anunoby after he suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the second-round series. ESPN previously reported that Anunoby was dealing with a hamstring strain and was considered day-to-day.
The Knicks survived his absence, sweeping Philadelphia and becoming the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a conference finals berth. The longer wait before Game 1 now matters for more than rest. It gives Anunoby additional recovery time before New York’s biggest series in years.
New York Knicks Star OG Anunoby Is Expected to Play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals
Anunoby’s importance goes well beyond his box-score production.
The Knicks need his size, defensive versatility and floor spacing against either possible opponent. If New York faces Detroit, Anunoby gives head coach Mike Brown another strong wing defender for a physical Pistons team built around Cade Cunningham and athletic frontcourt pressure. If the opponent is Cleveland, Anunoby’s ability to switch, contain drives and defend bigger wings would be valuable against a Cavaliers group led by Donovan Mitchell and a deep frontcourt.
That is why the wording of Charania’s report matters. “Expected” does not mean guaranteed, and “barring setbacks” is always an important qualifier with a hamstring issue. But it is still the clearest public indication yet that the Knicks are preparing for Anunoby to be part of their Game 1 plan.
Anunoby missed Games 3 and 4 against the 76ers, but the Knicks still closed the series in dominant fashion. New York won Game 4 by 30 points to complete the sweep and clinched with their franchise-record seventh straight postseason win.
That created a rare playoff luxury: recovery time without giving up momentum.
The Knicks also have recent history showing why they will be cautious. Anunoby dealt with a left hamstring strain during the 2024 playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, missed multiple games, then lasted only five minutes in Game 7 before being pulled, according to ESPN.
This time, the Knicks are hoping the injury does not become the same kind of series-altering problem.
The Knicks Are Awaiting the Winner of Pistons-Cavaliers
The Knicks do not yet know their Eastern Conference Finals opponent.
Detroit and Cleveland entered Wednesday, May 13, tied 2-2 in their second-round series, with Game 5 set in Detroit. The Cavaliers evened the series after dropping the first two games, with Mitchell scoring 39 points in the second half of Game 4.
The matchup could shape how heavily New York leans on Anunoby right away.
Against Detroit, his physicality and defensive discipline would be central. The Pistons beat the Knicks three times in the regular season, while New York went 2-1 against Cleveland.
Against Cleveland, Anunoby could be just as important as a stabilizer against Mitchell’s scoring bursts and the Cavaliers’ size. Cleveland also presents a different spacing and shot-creation problem, which would test New York’s ability to defend without overhelping.
Either way, the Knicks are better positioned with Anunoby available.
NBA Insider Drops Major OG Anunoby Injury Update Before Game 1