NBA

OG Anunoby Leaves Knicks Game With Non-Contact Injury

Disclosure
We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. Ads on our site are served by Google AdSense and are not controlled or influenced by our editorial team.
01jk2a087ydpdwheg7aw-ezgif.com-resize

The New York Knicks have been one of the healthiest teams in the NBA through the first half of the season. Coming into Saturday’s contest against the Lakers, all five of their regular starters had played in 43 or more of the team’s 48 games, with two guys playing and starting in every single game thus far.

But there is initial fear that one of them may be unavailable in the near future, due to an injury suffered by OG Anunoby in New York’s streak-breaking loss.

Knicks Hoping For The Best After Anunoby Suffers Non-Contact Injury

Early in the third quarter of a close game, Anunoby received a pass on the wing and went into a shooting motion. He then suffered what appeared to be a non-contract injury. As LeBron James closed in, the Knicks’ small forward lowered himself onto his knees in obvious pain, and grabbed at the back of his lower leg. New York called a timeout, and Anunoby limped into the locker room and didn’t return to action.

It is still too early to tell exactly what the diagnosis will be. The early release from the Knicks is that he suffered a “right foot sprain”, but the validity of that is in question. There didn’t appear to be any twist or roll of the ankle on the replay, and looks like something that would be more consistent with Achilles injuries that we have seen in the past.

If OG Anunoby is forced to miss any time, the Knicks will certainly miss his production. He is the heart of the team’s defense and has contributed on the offensive side as well, averaging 16.4 points per game on 48% shooting overall. Guys like Landry Shamet and Precious Achiuwa would likely see an increase in minutes and responsibility.

The Knicks came into the game against the Lakers having won 5 in a row and 7 of 10 overall. Even with the loss, they are still comfortably in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, but the surging Indiana Pacers could make a move if New York slips up in the coming week.