OG Anunoby is making progress in his recovery from a right hamstring strain, giving the New York Knicks a glimmer of hope as they prepare for the Eastern Conference finals. The veteran forward participated in "some parts" of Wednesday's practice, head coach Mike Brown confirmed, though he did not join the team scrimmage.
"The stuff that he went through, he looked fine," Brown said, offering an optimistic update on the 28-year-old's condition.
Anunoby focused on shooting drills and what the Knicks described as "individual work," but it remains unclear whether he has resumed sprinting—a key test for his hamstring readiness. His status for Game 1 of the conference finals is still undetermined, though ESPN reported Wednesday that there is growing expectation he will be available when the series tips off.
"[The medical staff] told me what he could do today. They have not told me what he can do [on Friday], so I don't know what he'll be able to do for Game 1," Brown added, noting the team would not practice Thursday.
Wednesday marked exactly one week since Anunoby tweaked his hamstring during the fourth quarter of the Knicks' Game 2 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He was listed as questionable for Games 3 and 4 but ultimately sat out both as the Knicks completed a second-round sweep—a testament to the depth stepping up in his absence.
The timing of the Eastern Conference finals adds another layer to Anunoby's recovery. The series will begin either Sunday or Tuesday, depending on how long the second-round matchup between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers extends. That means Anunoby could potentially enjoy nearly two weeks of rest before the next round starts—a silver lining for a player with a history of leg issues, including a left hamstring injury that cost him nine games early in the regular season.
"Any time anybody's able to do stuff [in practice], you get encouraged," Brown said, reflecting the cautious optimism surrounding the team.
Anunoby's impact on the court is undeniable. In these playoffs, he is averaging 21.4 points per game—second on the Knicks—along with 7.5 rebounds per game, ranking third. His shooting efficiency has been stellar: 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from beyond the arc, all while taking on tough defensive assignments that have made him a two-way cornerstone.
Without Anunoby, the Knicks have found unlikely heroes. Miles "Deuce" McBride erupted for 25 points on 7-of-9 shooting from deep in Game 4, while Landry Shamet averaged 13.5 points and went 6 of 9 on 3-pointers over Games 3 and 4. These performances have kept the Knicks' momentum alive, but the team now faces the delicate balance of weighing rest against preparation as they await their conference finals opponent.