OG Anunoby was a critical member to the New York Knicks success this season but when they needed him most, it was an injury that unfortunately derailed his and the Knicks playoff run.
After missing the previous four games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a hamstring injury, Anunoby returned to the court in Game 7. And, he brought the energy, toughness and playmaking that the Knicks needed.
In just five minutes, he had five points and hit his only two shots of the game. But, after he was taken out at the 7:19 mark of the first quarter — he would remain on the sidelines for the remainder of the game.
“Just wanted to play. I wanted to at least try and help my teammates,” Anunoby said following the Knicks 130-109 loss to the Pacers. “We’ve been working really hard so I wanted to at least be out there. … I just couldn’t move.”
Anunoby’s injury came in the second half in Game 2 when he went up for a layup in transition and came down awkwardly holding his hamstring. He did not return. He had 28 points in 28 minutes of action in Game 2 before his injury.
The impact that OG Anunoby made with the Knicks went beyond the points and rebounds. Entering Sunday’s game, the Knicks poured in a 26-5 record in games that Anunoby played in this season. They were just 15-19 in games that Anunoby has missed due to injury.
Because of that, the Knicks were putting all cards on the table despite his limited mobility.
“The way he was moving, I didn’t think it was worth it,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “The lift from him hitting the shots, and then I just didn’t feel like he was moving well. It didn’t make sense.
“I didn’t think it was worth the risk. I didn’t wanna take a chance. I love OG. I talked to medical, and we didn’t know what it was going to be until he got out there. He gave us everything he had, and that’s all you can ask for.”
Anunoby played 23 games for the Knicks after being acquired at the trade deadline and averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and shot 39.4 percent from three. For the season, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and shot 38.2 percent from three.
Now, all of the attention turns to his summer.
OG Anunoby can now decline his player option if he chooses, making him a free agent. The deadline to do so is June 24. Early indications are that he will opt out and become a free agent.
“We lost, so it sucks,” Anunoby said. ” … I haven’t thought about any of that. The game just ended, so I haven’t thought about any of that.”
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