The New York Knicks are prepared to be without forward OG Anunoby indefinitely, delivering a potentially crippling blow to one of the Miami Heat’s top rivals in the Eastern Conference.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Anunoby’s elbow has flared up, resulting in him being ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors. There is no timetable for the defensive stalwart’s return.
"I'm told that OG Anunoby is going to be out more than just tonight," Wojnarowski said on ESPN’s NBA Countdown. "That right elbow has flared up again, they need it to calm down. How long he is out is unclear, but it's certainly a concern for this Knicks team ... Right now, they will miss OG Anunoby more than just this game against the Warriors tonight."
The New York Knicks will be without their top defender for an indefinite amount of time.
Anunoby had only recently returned after missing 18 straight games with an elbow injury. He played in three games for the Knicks before this latest setback.
The Knicks acquired Anunoby in a December deal with the Toronto Raptors and he was immediately a seamless fit alongside Jalen Brunson and others. Anunoby gives the Knicks a bona fide wing-stopper and someone who can credibly guard stars like Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum and others in the East. Without him, the Knicks will struggle to defend the top teams in the East.
The Knicks (40-27) are fourth in the East standings and are 15-2 in games with Anunoby in the lineup, but are 25-25 in games without him this season.