Overview
- SNY’s Ian Begley says he is confident OG Anunoby will play in Game 1 with no minutes cap, and sports medicine specialist Dr. Jesse Morse says a safe return for the opener is a good chance.
- The Eastern Conference Finals are slated to start May 19, with a May 17 start possible if the other series ends early, giving New York a narrow but meaningful window for extra recovery.
- Anunoby sustained a Grade 1 right hamstring strain late in Game 2 against Philadelphia, then missed Games 3 and 4 as the Knicks closed a sweep without him.
- Before the injury he averaged 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals on elite shooting, which underscores his value as New York’s top two-way wing against either Detroit’s Cade Cunningham or Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell.
- Prediction markets show short-term uncertainty about an immediate return at about 45% before May 18, but strong confidence near 95% that he plays by June 20.