OG Anunoby returned to limited practice work as the New York Knicks began preparations for the Eastern Conference Finals, but he remains restricted while recovering from a hamstring injury. The forward was only able to participate in partial drills when the team resumed activity, with full-speed work still off the table.
Key Highlights:
- New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby remains limited in practice while recovering from a hamstring injury, with his availability for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals still uncertain.
- Head coach Mike Brown confirmed Anunoby participated in partial work but has not yet progressed to full-speed sessions, with no clear timeline for his return.
- New York continues preparation for a potential series against either the Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers while managing uncertainty around one of their key two-way players.
- The Knicks are balancing rest and conditioning during an extended break, aiming to maintain sharpness after a strong playoff run, according to Jalen Brunson and coaching staff comments.
Knicks remain patient as Anunoby recovery looms over East Finals prep
With several days before Game 1, the Knicks are not rushing his return. Head coach Mike Brown said Anunoby completed some on-court work and looked fine in controlled settings, but there is still a clear gap between his current workload and playoff intensity. His availability for the series opener remains uncertain, with no clear timeline provided for when he will progress further.
Uncertainty around Game 1 availability
Brown emphasized that updates remain day-to-day, saying even the coaching staff has not been given a firm indication of when Anunoby can fully ramp up. With Game 1 potentially starting Sunday depending on the outcome of the ongoing series between Detroit and Cleveland, the Knicks are preparing without guarantees on his status.
Anunoby’s absence would be significant. He has been one of New York’s most impactful two-way players this postseason, strengthening both their perimeter defense and offensive efficiency. The Knicks were able to survive stretches without him earlier in the playoffs, but facing either the top-seeded Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers would present a far greater challenge.
Knicks focus on rhythm during extended layoff
Despite the uncertainty, the Knicks are using the break as a chance to recover and reset after a dominant playoff run. They have won seven straight games since dropping their early first-round series lead and have outscored opponents by a wide margin across both rounds, showing strong form heading into the conference finals.
Forward Jalen Brunson and teammates have acknowledged the unusual timing gap between series, balancing rest with maintaining competitive sharpness. Brown, drawing from past playoff experience involving both long layoffs and quick turnarounds, said the focus is on keeping players mentally engaged while avoiding a drop in intensity during the extended break.
