SAN FRANCISCO — After OG Anunoby said he was “ready” to protect Stephen Curry, the Knicks forward was ruled out of Monday’s game against the Warriors citing “injury management.”
Anunoby, who underwent surgery to remove a free bone in his elbow in early February, has played in three games since returning, but aggravated the injury in last week’s win over the Trail Blazers.
Anunoby and the Knicks dismissed the idea that he would miss the game, but said “soreness” was expected.
He was then listed as questionable to play against the Warriors before being downgraded to “out” by Monday morning.
The Knicks also claimed Anunoby had “day-to-day” pain in his elbow before surgery and did not publicly admit he had a bone spur until he missed more than a week of games.
At best, it contradicts public information.
“I just had surgery five weeks ago,” Anunoby said Saturday. “So it’s ice and strengthening. Just a lot of different practices. It’s still being repaired. It’s still getting better. … It’s just a matter of packing the weight room, packing the bands, packing the medicine balls. It’s just building on the strengths. only.”
Anunoby’s presence is a big boost to the Knicks’ defense, which is 15-2 with him in the lineup.
However, he had one hit in eight at bats in Saturday’s win over the Kings, and seems worried about being released after the pain returned in Portland.
“Things are getting better,” Anunoby said in Sacramento.
Without Anunoby, the Knicks will look to stop the best shooter in NBA history.
