Sports
Sources: Knicks’ Anunoby, Hart on track to play
New York Knicks forwards OG Anunoby and Josh Hart are on course to play against the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Sunday — with a final determination coming close to the 3:30 p.m. ET tip at Madison Square Garden, sources told ESPN.
Anunoby and Hart will participate in the team’s walk-through hours before the game and, barring a setback, are expected to make themselves available with a berth in the conference finals against the Boston Celtics on the line, sources said.
The chance for Anunoby to spend time guarding Pacers forward Pascal Siakam looms as an important matchup for New York.
Anunoby has been out since Game 2 with a left hamstring strain, and Hart suffered an abdominal strain in Game 6 of the series. The Knicks have lost Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic with season-ending injuries.
The Knicks upgraded Anunoby to questionable Saturday afternoon after he had advanced far enough in his rehabilitation to believe he had a real opportunity to return and help his team on Sunday, sources said.
He has averaged 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal in eight playoff games this season. The Knicks are 26-5 with Anunoby on the floor this season.
Hart had also been listed as questionable, though he is determined to play through the injury and see how much he can contribute on Sunday, sources said. Even if on the milder side, abdominal strains are limited in treatment options — unlike ankle sprains or leg bruises that can be treated with ice and stimulation.
Almost any movements for Hart stir pain, including coughing and breathing. There is no escaping the pain, which is something that can be avoided with other parts of the body.
Hart has averaged 14.9 points, a team-leading 11.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 42.6 minutes per game in the playoffs.