Getty
OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks in action during Game Five of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 28, 2026 in New York City. The Knicks won 126-97.
The New York Knicks are one win away from sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. But heading into Game 4, there is still a big question mark hanging over their roster.
Per Ian Begley on X, OG Anunoby remains day-to-day with the hamstring strain he picked up late in Game 2. His status has not changed since then, and the Knicks have not given any clearer picture of when he might be back.
Here is what Begley reported:
“Mike Brown says OG Anunoby (hamstring) remains day-to-day, so no change in his status from that perspective. Brown says decision is solely medical staff’s. Brown intimated that if NYK medical staff tells Brown that Anunoby is OK to play tomorrow, he will play.”
Mike Brown says OG Anunoby (hamstring) remains day-to-day, so no change in his status from that perspective. Brown says decision is solely medical staff’s. Brown initimated that if NYK medical staff tells Brown that Anunoby is OK to play tomorrow, he will play.
GettyNew York Knicks star OG Anunoby
Anunoby went down late in Game 2 after what looked like a right leg issue. He had been having a strong night, scoring 24 points on efficient shooting, before he signaled to come out and walked straight to the locker room. He did not return to the bench before the final buzzer.
The Knicks later confirmed it was a strained right hamstring. He was ruled out for Game 3, which New York won anyway, and has been listed as day-to-day ever since with no real update on a return timeline.OG Anunoby’s Importance to the Knicks in the 2026 Playoffs
Getty OG Anunoby
Even without him, the Knicks have been good enough. Jalen Brunson dropped 33 points in Game 3 and New York controlled the game from start to finish. But Anunoby’s absence still matters, and the numbers tell you exactly why.
Before the injury, he was averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game in the postseason, shooting 61.9% from the field and 56.7% from three. Those are not just good numbers. Those are historically good numbers for a two-way player in the playoffs.
He has been the Knicks’ best player in these playoffs, not just as a scorer but as the guy who makes life miserable for whoever he guards on the other end. When OG is locked in defensively, the Knicks become a completely different team to play against.
This is also not new territory for Anunoby. He hurt his hamstring in the 2024 playoffs too, also in the second round, and missed four straight games before returning for a limited Game 7 against Indiana, a series the Knicks eventually lost. That history stings a little, and it is hard not to think about it now.
The good news is the Knicks are in a much better spot this time. A 3-0 series lead gives them room to breathe, and they do not necessarily need Anunoby in Game 4 to close this out. But the East Finals could be right around the corner, and having him healthy for that is a completely different conversation.
Game 4 is set for May 10 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Knicks can finish this series without Anunoby, but getting him right for what comes next matters a whole lot more than one closeout game.
Jayesh Pagar Jayesh Pagar is a writer at Heavy Sports, covering the New York Knicks and other NBA teams. He brings four years of experience across digital sports media, including NBA, WNBA, college basketball, and college football. He covered as the Knicks beat writer for ONSI and has written for PFSN, Sporting News, and ClutchPoints. More about Jayesh Pagar
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