It’s looking more and more likely that OG Anunoby will be ready to return when the Knicks start the Eastern Conference Finals next week after going through another full round of practice Saturday.
Anunoby, who has missed the final two games of the 76ers series due to a right hamstring injury sustained late in the Knicks’ Game 2 win, got through a full practice on consecutive days and told the media afterwards, including the Associated Press’ Brian Mahoney, that he feels good.
“It didn’t feel as bad as the past when it happened,” Anunoby said. “So knowing that, just trying to improve it day by day.”
Anunoby isn’t a stranger to injuries, but this particular strain seemed less severe from the start. SNY’s Ian Begley reported last week that the strain was “minor” and there was optimism Anunoby would be back sooner rather than later.
The Knicks listed Anunoby as questionable for both Game 3 and 4, but the forward’s services were not needed as New York handled their business in completing the four-game sweep of the Sixers. Now, with the series between the Cavaliers and Pistons going the distance, wrapping up on Sunday, Anunoby and the Knicks will have until Tuesday before Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals begins.
“I think everyone’s excited for the games to start, so just letting the other series play out,” Anunoby said. “So if it was tomorrow — it’s going to be Tuesday now — just be ready whenever it is.”
“He’s been back and he looks good to me,” Mikal Bridges said. “So I think maybe the crowd, maybe the fans and media worried a little bit more, but I know how OG works and how his body is, so I think he’ll be all right.”
Anunoby is averaging 21.4 points in the postseason while shooting 61.9 percent, including 53.8 percent from three-point range. He’s also been the team’s best defender and overall best player through the first two rounds of the postseason. They’ll need Anunoby’s production and defense to go up against either Cleveland or Detroit if they hope to make it to the NBA Finals for the first time in almost three decades.
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