OG Anunoby’s Recovery Progress
OG Anunoby is making strides in his recovery.
The standout wing participated in practice on Wednesday for the first time since he sustained a mild right hamstring strain during Game 2 against the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
While Anunoby has been practicing with some limitations, coach Mike Brown hasn’t confirmed whether he’ll be available for Game 1 of the conference finals. Nonetheless, there’s a sense of optimism within the organization that he could be ready by the start of the series, according to information provided to The Post by sources.
“Anytime someone can do something, it’s encouraging,” Brown remarked. “The medical team shared that he was capable of participating today. I think I’ll wait until Friday to evaluate his status further. Despite everything he’s been through, he appeared to be fine.”
Brown, however, didn’t provide any specifics about Anunoby’s ability to sprint, and reports indicated that he was working out independently.
“For me, it’s about managing expectations,” Brown stated. “I’m not keen on giving too much information to the medical staff or anyone else because once you do that, people start to expect more.”
Anunoby missed the last two games of the series sweep against the 76ers and was listed as questionable for both.
The 6-foot-7 forward had an impressive postseason before the injury, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks with a shooting percentage of 53.8 from beyond the arc on nearly five attempts per game.
The Knicks engaged in full-contact practice on Wednesday.
The team is scheduled for a day off on Thursday, followed by practices on Friday and Saturday. It’s still unclear whether the Eastern Conference finals will kick off on Sunday or Tuesday, depending on the outcome of the Cavaliers vs. Pacers series.
“It’s not ideal to have too many full-contact practices,” Brown noted. “The last thing I want is for someone to get injured at this stage of the season. I mixed in some live work today, but I’m unsure if I’ll do that again. It really depends on how I feel and whether we’ll play early or late.”
Additionally, Brown offered his condolences on Monday for Jason Collins, who passed away at 47 due to a brain tumor. Brown had met Collins and his twin brother Jaron during his time with the Warriors.
“[Jason] was a remarkable individual. I knew him through Jaron. It’s heartbreaking to lose someone so young and to see their family go through such a tough time. My deepest sympathies go out to them and all their friends,” Brown expressed.
