GREENBURGH, N.Y. — OG Anunoby was limited to partial participation during the New York Knicks’ Wednesday practice session as the team resumed training.
Fortunately for the squad, they have the luxury of time on their side.
The Knicks can afford to be cautious with Anunoby’s hamstring injury recovery since they have several days remaining before their Eastern Conference finals series begins. The injury sidelined him for the final two contests of their second-round series victory over Philadelphia.
Coach Mike Brown reported that the starting forward participated in certain drills but sat out when the team increased practice intensity. Brown noted Anunoby appeared comfortable with his limited activities, though acknowledged a significant difference between practice participation and playoff game demands.
Brown explained he remains uncertain about when Anunoby might increase his activity level, and the team doesn’t know exactly when that will be necessary. The opening game against Detroit or Cleveland might occur Sunday, but the series could be delayed until next week if those teams extend their current 2-2 series to seven games following Wednesday’s Game 5.
“They told me what he could do today. They have not told me what he could do tomorrow, so I don’t know what he’ll be able to do for Game 1,” Brown said.
Anunoby represents a crucial component of the Knicks’ success as an elite defender whose scoring has reached new heights during the current playoff campaign. While the team managed victories without him against a fatigued Philadelphia squad still recovering from their seven-game first-round battle with Boston, defeating the top-seeded Pistons or Cavaliers without him would present significant challenges.
Brown prefers focusing on immediate concerns rather than long-term planning. The Knicks will take Thursday off before returning to practice Friday, when he plans to request another medical update on Anunoby.
“At least for me, I’m taking it one game at a time,” Brown said. “I don’t want to know from medical or anybody else anything beyond that, because when I do that stuff I get my hopes up and I don’t like doing that at all.”
The Knicks have strong reasons for optimism following their impressive first two playoff rounds. They’ve captured seven consecutive victories since trailing Atlanta 2-1 in round one, outscoring the Hawks and 76ers by a combined 194 points — the largest margin in franchise history through 10 postseason games.
After eliminating Atlanta on April 30, they faced Philadelphia on May 4. This break could last more than double that timeframe.
“The first series we had what, four days’ break I think it was? That was good enough,” forward Josh Hart said. “This right now, I think at least a week if not nine days, that’s a long time. So obviously it’s good for recovery, but mentally I’m watching the games, I’m just like just waiting, just waiting to get back out there.”
Brown brings relevant experience to this situation. His Cleveland Cavaliers completed first-round and second-round sweeps in 2009 before waiting over a week for East finals action, which they ultimately lost to Orlando. He also stepped in for an injured Steve Kerr during Golden State’s 2017 postseason run when the Warriors swept their first three series, creating a 10-day gap before the NBA Finals.
“I’ve been part of sweeps, I’ve been part of getting swept and been part of long layoffs and short turnarounds, so you worry about different stuff at different times,” Brown said. “Like, quick turnaround you’re like: ‘Oh my God, we can’t prepare. Oh my god, guys are tired.’ And long layoffs, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, we got too much time, we’re not going to stay sharp.’”
He emphasized that extended breaks require creating methods to maintain players’ mental sharpness, and the Knicks feel confident in their approach.
“I think we have our plan,” All-Star Jalen Brunson said. “Obviously utilize rest, but then when we’re in the gym we’re doing everything that we need to do to stay in rhythm, stay having the edge that we need to have, focusing on the things that we need to focus on and continuing to prepare.”
