The New York Knicks enter Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers with two important variables on the injury report.
Starting guard OG Anunoby, who has been sidelined since Game 2 with a hamstring strain, was upgraded to questionable on the Knicks' injury report on Saturday. He will undergo shootaround Sunday and the team will make a decision during the game, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Josh Hart is also listed as questionable after suffering an abdominal strain in the Knicks' Game 6 loss. Hart left the game in the fourth quarter and did not return.
Both players will be huge pieces for the Knicks. The team hasn't looked the same since losing Anunoby. The team went 20-3 when Anunoby was in the lineup during the regular season. Indiana has won three of four Eastern Conference semifinal games since he went down.
Hart's influence is most evident in his playing time. Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had Hart play every game in the Knicks' wins in Games 1 and 2, and then played 43 minutes in Game 3. Hart suffered a blowout loss in Game 3 and didn't play as many minutes as he did in the blowout win. He played 31 minutes on Friday until he left with his injury in Game 4.
The Knicks looked strong in the playoffs thanks in part to a strengthened rotation, but the downside is increased attrition and injuries. With the Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics looming, the Knicks can only hope that both players return and stay healthy.
Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden (ABC). New York is currently a 2.5-point favorite at BetMGM.
