NEW YORK — OG Anunoby is playing the best basketball of his nine-year career.
Not coincidentally, the New York Knicks are playing their best ball of the season, and at the right time.
Yet, as New York has taken a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals, Anunoby has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and is listed as day to day, per a May 7 social media post by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
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Anunoby suffered the injury late in New York’s 108-102 Game 2 victory on May 6.
Late in the fourth quarter, Anunoby attempted to cut to the basket when he pulled up and grabbed his right leg, near his hamstring. In the moments that followed, Anunoby remained on the floor and even attempted a dunk when the ball found him down low.
It became clear, however, that Anunoby was hobbled by the injury and limped fairly significantly once he tried to jog to the other side of the court. He asked to be subbed out and left the game with 2:31 to play, replaced by backup guard Miles McBride.
Anunoby did not return to the bench for the remainder of the game.
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Anunoby has emerged as a multi-purpose threat for the Knicks in the playoffs and is integral to their title hopes, so the injury is a bit of a setback.
Not only has he been tasked with guarding a premier offensive player — on May 6 he was the primary defender on Paul George — but he has ramped up his effort on rebounding. Anunoby is also a reliable perimeter shooter, the Knicks now must find how to replace him.
OG Anunoby injury: who steps in?
New York could slide Josh Hart, who plays all over the floor, to fill his immediate assignment if Anunoby misses time. That could free up backup guard Miles McBride to start alongside Jalen Brunson in the backcourt.
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Given that McBride stepped in for Anunoby in the clutch of a tight game, logic dictates that he would be the first player up. McBride, however, plays a very different game than Anunoby, giving up size and strength.
New York could also deploy some combination of Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet to contribute, or spell McBride once he heads to the bench.
“Next man up,” Knicks forward Mikal Bridges said Wednesday night after the game. “That’s really it.”
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) falls to the court after missing a shot against the Philadelphia 76ers.
OG Anunoby stats
In 67 games this season, Anunoby averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Known for being an excellent two-way player and one of the better wing defenders in the NBA, Anunoby has elevated his play in the postseason; over New York’s last six games (including May 6), he’s averaging 23.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and has totaled 12 steals and 8 blocks over that span.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What happened to OG Anunoby? Injury update for Knicks vs 76ers
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