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Knicks Anticipate OG Anunoby Playing Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals

5/17/2026

Summary

Anunoby Returns

The Knicks expect OG Anunoby to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2026.
Anunoby completed unrestricted practice on Friday and Saturday, with teammate Mikal Bridges saying he looked good.
He said his hamstring feels less severe than the 2024 injury and that he improves daily.
Coach Brown said the medical staff will decide his Game 1 status, noting the layoff may aid recovery.

Summary

Knicks Rest

The Knicks get extra rest after sweeping the Eastern Conference semifinals while Cleveland and Detroit play a Game 7.
The Eastern Conference finals will start Tuesday, not the originally scheduled Sunday.
Coach Mike Brown said the team’s chances rely on skill, luck and health in the tight playoff schedule.
Anunoby’s rehab began with pool and weight-room work before moving to full-court sprints.

Summary

Anunoby Boosts Knicks

The Knicks recorded a historic plus-194 postseason point differential, the largest ever, after trading for OG Anunoby in December 2023, sending R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto.
With Anunoby on the floor, the Knicks post an effective field-goal percentage of 61.5 % versus 56.9 % when he sits, raising the postseason eFG% from the regular-season 57 %.
Anunoby’s floor-spacing creates room for Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson, expanding the Knicks’ offensive versatility.

History

Historical Context

In 1999, Jeff Van Gundy’s eighth-seeded Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing, upset the top-seed Miami Heat, swept the Atlanta Hawks, and became the first #8 seed to reach the NBA Finals after a 27–23 regular-season record. The franchise’s 1999 Cinderella run is cited in 2026 as a model for the Knicks’ reliance on OG Anunoby’s return from a hamstring injury.

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Anunoby Returns

The Knicks expect OG Anunoby to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals on May 19, 2026.
Anunoby completed unrestricted practice on Friday and Saturday, with teammate Mikal Bridges saying he looked good.
He said his hamstring feels less severe than the 2024 injury and that he improves daily.
Coach Brown said the medical staff will decide his Game 1 status, noting the layoff may aid recovery.

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