INDIANAPOLIS — OG Anunoby was recovering from a hamstring strain and hadn’t started running yet.
“It’s just pool work,” Tom Thibodeau said Sunday.
The forward was injured on May 8 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals when Anunoby went lame in the third quarter of a standout performance in the Knicks’ win.
He missed Games 3 and 4, and the update from Thibodeau didn’t bode well for his status heading into Tuesday night’s Game 5.
He also has the perk of two days off if needed before Friday night’s Game 6.
Anunoby traveled with the Knicks to Indianapolis, but was not on the bench for Game 3.
Thibodeau said it makes sense for Anunoby to travel because the team’s doctors are also on the plane.
“We’ve been through this (previous rehab process) and that doesn’t change. That’s why we have a routine for everything,” Thibodeau said. “So if you get hurt during a game, your rehab basically becomes your game. So, lock yourself in there. Get treated three times a day and keep at it. That’s it for now. .”
Anunoby missed 27 games this season with an elbow injury. He also missed the entire 2019 championship appearance with the Raptors after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.
His presence helped the Knicks go 26-5 with Anunoby in the lineup.
In Game 4, the Knicks once again started Precious Achiuwa in place of Anunoby.
