NBA PLAYOFFS
Will Josh Hart play against the Pacers in Game 7? Injury update
The New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers will collide in a do-or-die battle with a ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals at stake.
The Madison Square Garden will decide whether the Knicks or the Pacers will make it to the final round in the East as both sides will go head-to-head in what is expected to be a full-action and intense Game 7.
New York seemed to be in control of the series when they got ahead 2-0, but the Pacers were more resilient than expected and managed to overcome that deficit. The same happened when the Knicks retook the lead in Game 5 by winning the next clash, and now both sides are only one win away from advancing to the next round.
Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner, with 25 and 17 points respectively, led Indiana to a convincing win last time out (103-116). Jalen Brunson & co. tried to close the series but their inspiration wasn’t enough to make it possible at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
After losing nine straight playoff games at Indiana, the Knicks will now have the chance to come out on top at home, but Tom Thibodeau knows his team will need to play better to achieve that goal.
The Knicks, optimistic about Josh Hart
One of the most negative news of the Indiana game is that the Knicks lost Josh Hart in the fourth quarter due to an abdominal soreness.
Hart got injured in the first quarter when trying to box out Siakam to win the position and grab a rebound. Before leaving the court, he had 5 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in 31 minutes.
Although he has been listed as questionable for Game 7, the starting forward is expected to try to play through his injury, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
The hosts are also concerned about OG Anunoby, who hasn’t played since he strained his left hamstring in Game 2.
The Brit, who scored a career playoff-high 28 points that night, is also doubtful, although there’s a possibility he could force his presence on the court and try to help his team in this crucial game.