Why isn’t OG Anunoby playing for the Knicks against the Pacers in Game 5?

The New York Knicks are preparing for a potentially pivotal playoff game against the Indiana Pacers, but injuries could become a bigger story than the game itself, with OG Anunoby the latest to join the list.

Reports indicate that Anunoby will miss Game 5 and could even be at risk of missing more games due to a left hamstring injury. This setback further depletes the Knicks’ roster, which is already missing key players like Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, who are out for the rest of the season.

Who replaces Anunoby for Knicks?

In Anunoby’s absence, Precious Achiuwa will be starting, tasked with filling the void left by the injured forward again. In Game 4 he was on court for 24 minutes, adding eight points and taking six rebounds in the 121-89 loss that tied things up 2-2 in the series.

But despite that setback, and back-to-back defeats, analyst Wally Szczerbiak still believes this home game is there for the taking.

“The Knicks still have the advantage because home court is huge, and Indiana hasn’t proven that they can win in that building in this series,” he said. “At the same time with the injuries the Knicks are dealing with they’ll need a heroic effort to win Game 5.”

Knicks injury status

New York are also still without Bojan Bogdanovic, who sustained a foot injury during the first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers; Mitchell Robinson, who hasn’t appeared since Game 1 against the Pacers due to an ankle problem; and the aforementioned Randle, who dislocated his right shoulder in the 125-109 regular-season win over the Miami Heat on 27 January. Duane Washington Jr and Charlie Brown are also missing and not expected back until October at least.

The New York Knicks welcome the Indiana Pacers back to Madison Square Gardens today, Tuesday 14 May 2024, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.