The New York Knicks have some time off before the Eastern Conference Finals kick off against either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks have won seven straight playoff games, including a sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, to punch their second straight ticket to the East's final round.
The Knicks won the last two games of the 76ers series without OG Anunoby, who went down with a hamstring in Game 2 of that matchup. However, on Wednesday, the Knicks got some positive news on the small forward's status moving forward in the form of both a video from practice as well as an update from ESPN's Shams Charania.
OG Anunoby (hamstring) getting shots up during Knicks practice today.
There is an expectation that he will be able to play in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, barring any setbacks, per @ShamsCharania.
(🎥: @SbondyNBA)pic.twitter.com/jhXMAew0AQ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 13, 2026
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Anunoby had been arguably the Knicks' best player in the first round series against the Atlanta Hawks, shooting a scorching percentage from beyond the arc while providing his usual signature defense. He continued that dominance into the first two games of the 76ers series, but a scary moment occurred when he went down with the hamstring issue at the end of Game 2 in that series, conjuring up unpleasant memories of a similar injury he suffered in the 2024 second round against the Indiana Pacers.
Thankfully, Anunoby's hamstring strain was very minor, and the Knicks did an excellent job of holding down the fort without him in Games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia, winning both in convincing fashion in front of a crowd packed with New York fans.
The Knicks will now have at least a few more days off to wait for the conclusion of the Cavs vs Pistons series, with New York having struggled against both teams in the regular season, but looking like a true buzzsaw now that the playoffs have gotten in full swing.
The New York Knicks have some time off before the Eastern Conference Finals kick off against either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks have won seven straight playoff games, including a sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, to punch their second straight ticket to the East's final round.