New York KnicksTeam·New York Knicks forward OG AnunobyPlayer·OG Anunoby suffered a setback in his recovery from a right hamstring strain, as the team ruled him out for Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ersTeam·Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. The injury, which occurred late in the fourth quarter of New York's Game 2 victory, has kept the versatile wing sidelined through Game 3 and now into the pivotal fourth matchup of the Eastern Conference semifinalsCompetition·Eastern Conference Semifinals.
ESPN's Shams Charania first reported the diagnosis on May 7, noting that Anunoby is day-to-day with what sources described as a non-serious strain. Initial updates brought optimism: New York Post's Stefan Bondy called it "very, very minor," and SNY's Ian Begley cited locker room hope for a return in Game 3 or 4. Anunoby even traveled with the team to Philadelphia ahead of Game 3, fueling expectations. Yet, caution prevailed. The Knicks sat him for Friday's 108-94 win in Game 3, where Miles McBridePlayer·Miles McBride slid into the starting lineup and Landry ShametPlayer·Landry Shamet chipped in 15 points off the bench.
This marks the latest hamstring issue for Anunoby, who missed three weeks earlier this 2025-26 season with a left-side strain. Fans recall the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinalsCompetition·Eastern Conference Semifinals, when a similar injury struck during another 2-0 Knicks lead over the Indiana PacersTeam·Indiana Pacers. Anunoby's Game 7 return proved ineffective, contributing to New York's seven-game loss. The Knicks, now up 3-0 with dominant wins—137-98 in Game 1, 108-102 in Game 2, and 108-94 in Game 3—face no pressure to rush him back. Game 1 and 2 showcased Anunoby's postseason dominance: 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.0 stocks per game on 62% field goal and 54% three-point shooting. In Game 2 alone, he tallied 24 points, four rebounds, two assists, and four steals before exiting.
New York's depth has held firm without him. The third-seeded Knicks (53-29 regular season) continue their playoff surge, having dispatched lower seeds en route to this semifinals clash with the seventh-seeded 76ers (45-37). Josh HartPlayer·Josh Hart, nursing a thumb injury with negative X-rays, and Mitchell RobinsonPlayer·Mitchell Robinson, dealing with illness, also drew attention in recent injury trackers, but both pushed through Game 3. The Knicks' medical staff now dictates Anunoby's timeline, prioritizing long-term health with a potential conference finals on the horizon.
A sweep remains in play Sunday in Philadelphia, but Anunoby's absence tests New York's bench production once more. McBride's promotion worked in Game 3; expect similar adjustments if the forward remains out. For the 76ers, facing elimination, staving off a Knicks sweep without facing a fully healthy Anunoby lineup offers slim consolation. New York eyes closing the series while safeguarding its key wing for deeper playoff runs.
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