The New York Knicks will enter Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers with two significant variables on their injury report.
Starting guard OG Anunoby, out since Game 2 with a hamstring strain, was elevated to questionable on the Knicks’ injury report Saturday. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, he is expected to go through shootaround on Sunday, and the team will make a decision at game time.
Josh Hart is also listed as questionable with an abdominal strain suffered in the Knicks’ loss in Game 6. Hart left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return.
Both players become important for the Knicks. The team hasn’t looked the same since losing Anunoby, with whom the team went 20-3 when he was in the lineup during the regular season. Indiana has won three of four games in the Eastern Conference semifinals since falling.
Hart’s impact can be seen most in his playing time. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had Hart play every minute of the Knicks’ victories in Games 1 and 2, as well as 43 minutes in Game 3. Hart didn’t see as much time in a blowout loss in the Game 3 and a landslide victory. in Game 4, and he played 31 minutes on Friday before leaving with an injury.
The Knicks looked strong in the playoffs, in part thanks to a tighter rotation, but the downside to that is increased wear and tear and the impact of injuries. With the Boston Celtics approaching the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks can only hope that both players are back and healthy.
Game 7 is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at Madison Square Garden (ABC). New York is currently a 2.5-point favorite at BetMGM.