INDIANAPOLIS — It looks like OG Anunoby won't be returning to the floor anytime soon.
Anunoby, who missed his second consecutive game after suffering a left hamstring strain in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers, is not yet ready to run, head coach Tom Thibodeau said before tipoff for Game 4 on Sunday. told.
“It's just pool work,” Thibodeau said 90 minutes before tipoff at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
That means it's reasonable to assume the Knicks defensive stopper and floor spacer will be unavailable for Tuesday's Game 5 at Madison Square Garden.
However, considering the Knicks have two days off after playing their next home game, Anunoby could be considered for Game 6 at Indiana.
On a positive note, the starting forward was with the team in Games 3 and 4 and is undergoing rehabilitation on the road.
“We've been through this, and that doesn't change. That's why we have a routine for everything,” Thibdeaux said. “So if you get hurt during a game, the rehab basically becomes the game. So, lock yourself in there. Get treated three times a day and keep at it. That's where he is right now. It’s a place.”
The Knicks acquired Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa in the RJ Barrett-Immanuel Quickley deal with the Toronto Raptors on December 30th.
The Knicks were 20-3 in games he played after signing the deal, and 6-2 in the playoffs until Game 3, when he missed the game due to injury.
Anunoby appeared limping after making a transition layup in the third quarter of the Knicks' 130-121 win over the Pacers.
He enjoyed an incredible scoring performance with 28 points in 28 minutes to end the game.
Thibodeau started for Achiuwa in place of Anunoby in the Game 3 loss to the Pacers, and again started for Achiuwa in Game 4.
Before Anunoby's injury, the Knicks were already without Julius Randle (shoulder surgery), Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle surgery) and Mitchell Robinson (stress reaction).
The Knicks also removed Alec Burks and Jericho Sims from the rotation in Game 3 to face Anunoby. Burks scored 14 points in the first half alone. Sims logged four minutes, and Thibodeau was pleased with his performance in the short stint.
The Knicks also continue to rely on Josh Hart, who played more than 48 minutes in three of four games before hitting a 43-minute workload in Game 3.
“There are a few ways they could have gone in this situation, either play smaller to start or play bigger with Achiuwa,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “Hart will move to the four and basically take over OG's fourth man position. There are similarities between his game and OG's game. The problem is, none of it is easy. The Knicks grow through these kinds of challenges, and you have to give them a lot of credit for what they've overcome this year, and our players have the level of toughness that it takes to win at this stage of the playoffs. I am learning something very important.”