The New York Knicks are stepping into the season finale with a lengthy injury report. After OG Anunoby’s ankle injury against the Raptors, the Knicks were quite anxious, but new information from head coach Mike Brown is providing some relief.
Although the situation is not ideal, the Knicks are getting encouraging signs.
What Mike Brown Said about OG Anunoby
According to Ian Begley, “Mike Brown says OG Anunoby (ankle) is day to day. He said, based on Anunoby’s day-to-day status, he’d assume that the injury is a minor one. But he didn’t have specific new information on the injury. Still, seems like a positive update for the Knicks and Anunoby.”
That day-to-day label is a key detail; it rules out any immediate long-term concern and keeps the door open for a first-round return.
How the Injury Happened
Anunoby suffered an injury to his left ankle during the second quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Toronto Raptors on April 10.
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reported mid-game: “OG Anunoby (left ankle) will not return tonight.” When pressed for more details, Edwards added: “I saw him tweak it but he kept playing. My guess is precaution but I don’t know that, obviously, for certain.”
What to Watch Heading Into the Playoffs
GettyKnicks’ OG Anunoby injury update
Since the Knicks have already decided to bench their star players for the last game of the regular season, the main focus now is on getting Anunoby fit for the playoff start. Prior to his injury, he was scoring 16.7 points and grabbing 5.2 rebounds on average, plus he was also dishing out 2.2 assists and getting 1.6 steals, making him one of New York’s most crucial two-way players for the playoffs.
Knicks definitely want him healthy and ready. No one in New York could think about an injured OG when it comes to the playoff run.
OG Anunoby offers the Knicks a rare combination of size, switchability, and excellent wing defense, which is why this news is so significant. Apart from scoring 16.7 points, grabbing 5.2 rebounds, and dishing out 2.2 assists on average this regular season, he is also collecting steals and making plays that disrupt the opponent, which are characteristics of playoff basketball.
If New York encounters bigger or more physical opponents, OG’s capability to switch on multiple positions will be one of the reasons that can help counterbalance the rest of the defense.
Mike Brown’s cautious approach perfectly matches the situation. The Knicks have already secured their playoff spot, so there is really no competitive drive to aggravate an ankle injury at this stage of the season.
Brown has, in fact, dropped a line that he wants his team to be healthy when the playoffs start, and this is clearly reflected in the smart way this injury is being handled. From an injury standpoint, if the injury turns out to be a minor one, there is really no point in forcing OG to return before he is ready.
His playing status is highly important for the team. The advantages to the Knicks roster if OG is on the court include not just more wing players and better spacing on the court, but also that it would give Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns more freedom to play.
If he is out, then New York will have to find ways to make up for his defensive assignments with fewer players and more help at the point of attack. That could change transition defense, match-ups and the way the Knicks play in the kind of possession you find in a playoff.
OG Anunoby Injury Update Gives Knicks a Huge Sigh of Relief