The Knicks achieved a victory against the 76ers on their home ground, which gives them a substantial break before the Eastern Conference Finals in the NBA Playoffs.
A player who really needs this break is OG Anunoby. The Knicks’ key defensive player sustained what the team has labeled a mild strain of his right hamstring during Game 2 of the semifinals and consequently sat out the last two games.
It seems likely Anunoby will be back for the next round, but worries about his fitness were significant right after the injury and will linger until he is back on the court.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a Grade 1 hamstring strain typically takes less than a week to heal, and Anunoby was observed shooting hoops after practice on Wednesday.
If the Knicks aspire to make their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999, getting Anunoby back on the court as often as possible is crucial.
They will face either the Pistons or Cavaliers in the conference finals, both of which would pose distinct challenges. While the Knicks managed without Anunoby against the 76ers, advancing to the finals without him seems pretty daunting.
A big reason for this is his defensive skills. Anunoby has the ability to guard multiple positions, making it tough for opponents to exploit any weaknesses in the Knicks’ defense.
He recorded 24 steals and blocks combined, ranking 11th in the NBA Playoffs, with only one player above him playing more games this postseason.
Although Anunoby’s defensive prowess is what fans come to expect, his notable improvement on offense has been impressive.
This postseason, he has made 53.8% of his three-point shots and 72.7% from within the restricted area. His true shooting percentage stands at 75.5, which is second in the playoffs, following Isaiah Hartenstein, who only took shots from within 16 feet.
Interestingly, Anunoby has greatly benefited from Karl-Anthony Towns stepping up as the main offensive player for the Knicks. In the eight games they played together, Towns assisted on 13 of Anunoby’s baskets, the second most on the team.
The statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game feels even more significant. At times, Anunoby seems omnipresent on the court, yet it was painfully clear when he was absent during Game 2 against the 76ers.
This is why I’m considering his odds of 30/1 for the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Jalen Brunson is the current favorite at -125, being the team’s captain and top scorer. Yet, he also carries a heavy defensive burden.
If Karl-Anthony Towns (11/1) continues to perform at a high level in the East, he may also grab attention. However, keeping him out of foul trouble has proven to be a challenge, regardless of the opponent.
Neither Brunson nor Towns offers the same value on both ends of the court as Anunoby has demonstrated this postseason. Previous winners like Pascal Siakam and Jaylen Brown won the award even though they weren’t the top players on their teams.
There are indeed injury apprehensions, but if Anunoby competes at the level he has shown thus far and the Knicks come out on top, it will be tough to dispute his candidacy.
Pick: OG Anunoby ECF MVP (30/1, DraftKings)
