Can the Knicks Survive If OG Anunoby Misses Game 3?

The New York Knicks grabbed a gritty 108-102 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2, but the celebration at Madison Square Garden came with a nervous glance toward the injury report. Forward OG Anunoby exited late in the fourth quarter after appearing to hurt his right leg during a hard cut to the basket — and suddenly, one of New York’s biggest playoff weapons became its biggest concern.

For Knicks fans, it was one of those “please not again” moments. The Garden was rocking one minute and holding its collective breath the next.

Anunoby Goes Down After Fourth-Quarter Sequence

The injury happened with just over three minutes remaining in the game. Anunoby cut toward the rim, appeared to grab the back of his right leg, then still somehow exploded upward for a two-handed dunk attempt that was swatted away by Paul George.

Moments later, Mikal Bridges knocked down a clutch jumper to extend New York’s lead, but Anunoby was visibly limping while running back on defense. He motioned toward the bench for a substitution, and head coach Mike Brown quickly sent in Miles “Deuce” McBride.

Anunoby later headed to the locker room and did not return.

Even after appearing to hurt his leg, Anunoby still attacked the rim like nothing happened — the kind of fearless playoff moment that makes coaches cheer and fans nervously grab the remote at the same time. Most players would be thinking about the pain; OG was still thinking about finishing the play.

Mike Brown Left Waiting for Answers

After the game, Brown admitted he had little information regarding Anunoby’s condition.

The Knicks coach repeatedly told reporters the medical staff had not yet updated him, saying Anunoby “looked like he was hopping” but confirming no official diagnosis or testing details were available.

That uncertainty only added to the tension around the team. New York now holds a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but losing Anunoby — even temporarily — would dramatically change the equation heading into Game 3 in Philadelphia.

OG Was Dominating Before the Injury

Before exiting, Anunoby delivered another monster postseason performance. The veteran forward finished with:

• 24 points
• 5 rebounds
• 4 steals
• 2 assists
• 1 block
• Zero turnovers

He shot 9-for-17 from the field and once again showcased why he has become one of the Knicks’ most valuable playoff players.

Coming into Game 2, Anunoby had been averaging 21 points and nearly eight rebounds per game during the 2026 NBA Playoffs while shooting an absurd 63.8% from the floor and nearly 60% from three-point range.

That kind of efficiency is rare. That kind of defense with it? Even rarer.

Brown praised Anunoby’s expanding offensive game before the matchup, noting his passing, cutting, pick-and-roll ability, and physical mismatch potential. Former Toronto Raptors coach and current Sixers coach Nick Nurse also highlighted how Anunoby continues evolving every season.

“He just keeps getting better,” Nurse said before Game 2 — and honestly, the numbers back him up.

Knicks Leaned on Anunoby’s Versatility

With backup center Mitchell Robinson sidelined due to illness and foul trouble affecting both Karl-Anthony Towns and Ariel Hukporti, the Knicks turned to Anunoby as a small-ball center during key stretches.

And somehow, it worked beautifully.

Anunoby impacted the game everywhere — deflections, offensive rebounds, perimeter shooting, interior defense — the basketball equivalent of someone fixing the Wi-Fi, changing the tire, and cooking dinner all in one night.

One sequence perfectly captured his value: he forced a deflection leading to a steal, grabbed multiple offensive rebounds, then buried a third-chance three-pointer off a feed from Jalen Brunson.

That’s the kind of hustle coaches replay in film sessions about 37 times.

Knicks Prepare for “Next Man Up” Mentality

The concern surrounding Anunoby feels even bigger because of New York’s recent playoff history. Knicks fans still remember his hamstring injury during the 2024 postseason against the Indiana Pacers, when he missed multiple games and briefly returned before being forced out again.

This time, the Knicks are hoping for better news.

Brunson kept things cautious after the win, saying he would “cross that bridge” later, while Towns said the team would regroup and assess the situation on Thursday.

McBride summed it up best: replacing Anunoby is nearly impossible with one player alone.

The Knicks are heading to Philadelphia with momentum, confidence, and a 2-0 series lead — but the spotlight now shifts to Anunoby’s health. His elite defense, efficient scoring, and versatility have been central to New York’s impressive playoff run, and any extended absence could reshape this Eastern Conference semifinal series.

Game 3 on Friday now carries even more weight for New York. In the NBA playoffs, a single awkward landing or sudden tweak can flip the mood of an entire series in seconds — especially under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

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