The New York Knicks will be without star forward OG Anunoby for their Game 3 Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup with the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Anunoby suffered a left hamstring strain in Game 2 that will keep him sidelined for at least one game, and potentially longer, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Knicks have already been spread thin by injuries this postseason, utilizing just a seven-man rotation in recent games. Head coach Tom Thibodeau must identify who will step up in Anunoby’s absence from the lineup.
The Knicks will continue to rely on Josh Hart more than ever
If the Knicks were planning on giving Josh Hart any rest after he played every minute in the first two games of this series, those plans have undoubtedly been altered. Hart will be needed now more than ever with Anunoby out of the lineup.
Hart is averaging 21.5 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.5 assists while playing every minute so far in this series. He’s been the glue that’s held the team together throughout the postseason and that will continue to be the case with Anunoby sidelined.
Hart averaged 6.2 assists and recorded five triple-doubles in the 27 games he’s played without Anunoby in the lineup this season (h/t Joe Dellera). The Knicks should expect to get another big-time performance from Hart on Friday night.
Precious Achiuwa’s minutes should increase
The biggest benefactor of Anunoby’s absence should be Precious Achiuwa. He played a postseason-high 28 minutes in Game 2, seeing increased usage after Anunoby left with his injury. Achiuwa put up eight points on 4-5 shooting with five total rebounds in the contest. However, he posted a +/- rating of -14 — compared to Anunoby’s +10.
Achiuwa will get the start on Friday night in place of Anunoby and should expect to play a high volume of minutes. Anunoby had been on the court for at least 42 minutes in each of the Knicks’ last four matchups prior to Wednesday night.
On the season, Achiuwa averaged 24.2 minutes played after being traded to the Knicks and also contributed 7.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. The Knicks need him to step up big in Game 3.
Is it time for Alec Burks to get some playing time?
Outside of Achiuwa, there aren’t many options on the Knicks’ bench, however, Anunoby’s absence could lead to an increase in playing time for veteran guard Alec Burks. He’s been a non-factor this postseason as Burks played only one minute in New York’s Game 2 victory. But without Anunoby in the lineup, the Knicks’ seven-man rotation is likely to include Burks as the next man up.
After being traded to New York, Burks averaged 13.5 minutes per game during the regular season. The one minute he played in Game 2, however, was his first time seeing the court during the playoffs.
With injuries continuing to pile up, Coach Thibodeau is going to need to be careful with the minutes he gives his players going forward. The postseason is a long grind and the Knicks’ rotation is too thin to sustain such a burden. The Knicks need their bench to step up and start contributing more meaningful minutes with so many of their starters absent.