PHILADELPHIA — The Knicks received some encouraging news regarding OG Anunoby.
According to Stephen Bondy from the newspaper, Anunoby’s right hamstring strain is described as “very mild” and appears to be routine.
Nevertheless, he’s listed as questionable for Game 3 on Friday at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Yet, with this optimistic assessment, it seems Friday might still be too soon for him to return.
If the Knicks do have to play without him for Game 3, what does that mean for the starting lineup and the overall implications?
Let’s break it down:
1. Myles McBride is the most likely candidate to step into the starting role.
During Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, Anunoby was in the locker room while McBride helped clinch the Knicks’ 108-102 win.
Generally, McBride’s role resembles that of a starter more than a bench player.
He has experience, having started 15 games throughout the regular season.
When Mikal Bridges sat on the bench in the first round, McBride rounded out the game with the primary starters.
He performed particularly well when paired with Jalen Brunson, with their combined play resulting in a net rating of plus-33.4 points per 100 possessions.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the lineup of Brunson, McBride, Bridges, Josh Hart, Karl, and Anthony Towns has only seen five minutes on the court together this postseason.
Typically, Bridges subbed in for McBride when he began, so this situation is somewhat novel.
2. Coach Mike Brown is also considering adding Mitchell Robinson, who is listed as available (due to illness) for Game 3, into the lineup. This could lead to a double-big formation.
Brown had been hesitant to play Robinson and Towns together initially due to potential defensive matchups, though he has utilized this combination in short bursts since then.
They have played together for 16 minutes in the playoffs, achieving a net rating of plus-19.5 points per 100 possessions.
How will this impact the Knicks on the floor?
The biggest adjustments will likely need to happen on defense.
Bridges excelled in his role of guarding Tyrese Maxey throughout the series.
But Anunoby’s absence will change things.
3. Should McBride step up into the starting position, he might take on Maxey’s defensive assignment.
While Anunoby was tasked with guarding Paul George, McBride is significantly smaller.
Shifting Bridges down to match up with George, McBride on Maxey, Brunson on Kelly Oubre, Hart on VJ Edgecomb, and Towns on Joel Embiid (if he plays) seems logical.
When Bridges sat out, McBride took over guarding Maxey.
4. The situation becomes a bit more complicated if Robinson joins the starting lineup, increasing the likelihood that McBride gets the nod.
In such a scenario, if Bridges covers Maxey, Brunson takes Oubre, Hart faces Edgecomb, and Robinson defends Embiid or the center, Towns would be left to deal with George. Not an optimal matchup.
What does this mean for the bench?
5. Landry Shamet would almost certainly find his way back into the rotation.
Other than a few minutes on Wednesday, his playing time has mostly been limited to garbage time since Game 2 of the first round.
He was a crucial asset off the bench during the regular season, but struggled with his shooting late in the season, which carried over into the playoffs.
Brown mentioned that the team’s offense became “chaotic” with Shamet filling in as an improvised backup point guard.
This resulted in Jose Alvarado, a more natural playmaker, taking a spot in the rotation.
If McBride moves into the starting group, his minutes off the bench would have to be redistributed, with Shamet likely being the main beneficiary.
6. Should Robinson be elevated into a starting position or simply receive more playing time, it could open up opportunities for Ariel Hukporti and Jeremy Sochan.
7. Anunoby often played center in smaller lineup setups, creating challenges for Brown regarding adjustments in small-ball strategies.
His role is vital for the Knicks on both offense and defense.
If he misses the game, it could lead to a lot of moving pieces.
