Knicks Lose OG Anunoby for at Least Two Weeks Amid Rising Injury Concerns

The New York Knicks entered their matchup with the Miami Heat already dealing with adversity. Starting point guard Jalen Brunson had been ruled out with an ankle injury suffered days earlier, casting uncertainty over how the offense would function without its most reliable scorer and initiator. Even so, New York remained favored, largely because of the two-way presence OG Anunoby had provided throughout the young season.

But the night took another unfortunate turn just minutes after tipoff. Roughly five minutes into the game, Anunoby exited with what was later diagnosed as a hamstring injury. The Knicks quickly ruled him out, and the mood inside Madison Square Garden shifted to one of concern rather than competitiveness.

The news only worsened after the game. Reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania revealed that Anunoby would be re-evaluated in two weeks, confirming that the team would be without its top perimeter defender and one of its most efficient shooters for a significant stretch. For a squad already navigating Brunson’s absence, the timing could not have been worse.

With two key starters sidelined, New York faces a critical test of its depth and resilience as it attempts to maintain momentum in a competitive Eastern Conference landscape.

1. Anunoby’s Injury Adds to Rising Concerns

Anunoby’s hamstring strain removes one of the Knicks’ most dependable players from the lineup. A model of efficiency and consistency, he has averaged 15.8 points per game while shooting 39.2% from three—production that plays a crucial role in balancing New York’s offense. His defensive impact is even more valuable; at nearly two steals per game, Anunoby routinely draws the opponent’s toughest assignment. The forward’s absence forces the Knicks to adjust quickly, especially with his evaluation timeline stretching at least two weeks. Hamstring injuries can be unpredictable, and teams typically lean toward caution to avoid setbacks. For New York, that means preparing for the possibility that he could miss additional time. Complicating matters is Brunson’s own injury status. The All-Star guard avoided a worst-case scenario after twisting his ankle against the Orlando Magic, but the Grade 1 sprain will still cost him several weeks. His role as the team’s late-game engine and stabilizer cannot be replicated easily. The hope entering the Heat matchup was that Anunoby would help carry the load during Brunson’s absence. Instead, the Knicks now face the challenge of replacing both players simultaneously—a demanding task for any contending team.

2. Towns and Shamet Rise to the Occasion

Despite the injuries, the Knicks managed to deliver one of their most inspired offensive performances of the season. Karl-Anthony Towns took command early, scoring 31 points in the first half and finishing with 39 overall. His combination of perimeter shooting, interior scoring, and matchup exploitation steadied a team suddenly without two of its primary options. Landry Shamet provided the second-half spark, pouring in 30 of his 36 points after the break. His off-ball movement and catch-and-shoot rhythm gave New York desperately needed spacing, helping the Knicks keep pace and ultimately outlast the Heat. The duo’s combined 75 points highlighted New York’s ability to generate offense by committee when forced to lean on its depth. After the game, Towns emphasized the collective mindset needed during this stretch, saying the group understood its responsibility without Brunson and Anunoby available. Their performances, while encouraging, also underscored the challenge ahead: asking for that level of output on a regular basis is far easier said than done.

3. Knicks Face Crucial Weeks Without Two Starters

New York now enters a potentially defining stretch of its season. With Brunson out for multiple weeks and Anunoby sidelined for at least two, the Knicks must rely heavily on their bench and secondary scorers to stabilize their rotation. The defensive identity they have built under head coach Mike Brown will undergo additional strain without their top wing stopper. Players like Miles McBride, Donte DiVincenzo, and Mitchell Robinson will likely see expanded roles, particularly on the defensive end. Meanwhile, Towns may have to shoulder an even greater share of the scoring load until the team regains its full strength. The Knicks have shown flashes of resilience—even thriving at times in chaotic circumstances—but sustaining that level of play will require discipline, depth, and efficient execution. The Eastern Conference race is expected to be tight throughout the year, making every game without Brunson and Anunoby even more significant. For now, New York can take encouragement from its response against Miami, but the next few weeks will reveal whether that performance was a temporary surge or the start of a prolonged adjustment.