Theââââââââââââââââ Knicks seem to be heading to the Eastern Conference finals very confidently, but the injury situation is not just about OG Anunobyâs hamstring.
The Knicks even swept the 76ers, winning 144-114 in Game 4. However, Josh Hartâs thumb and Karl-Anthony Townsâ body issues are less obvious injuries that can become a factor when the schedule gets a lot tighter again.
Josh Hartâs Thumb Is Still Worth Watching
GettyKnicksâ Hidden Injury Issue Could Matter More Than Expected in East Finals
Hart showed up wearing a wrap over his hand, a small but telling reminder that the thumb issue is still lingering even if he is fighting through it. The Knicks have listed him as questionable, then probable, and then available, which suggests the injury is manageable but not gone.
He backed that up in Game 4 with 17 points, nine rebounds, a block and a steal in 29 minutes, while also knocking down four 3-pointers.
That is what makes Hart so valuable and so risky to ignore. He is not just surviving the injury; he is still impacting winning. My read is that the thumb is more likely to affect his efficiency over a long series than his willingness to play, and that matters because Hartâs value comes from constant pressure, rebounding and second-effort plays.
If the Knicks need him to keep carrying that physical load into a tougher matchup, the hand could quietly become a limiter.
Karl-Anthony Towns Keeps Absorbing Contact For New York
GettyKnicks Hit With Another Injury Concern Alongside OG Anunoby
Towns has also taken a lot of hits throughout this playoff run, and that showed again in Game 4. The Knicks big man took a hard fall during the blowout win over Philadelphia and briefly exited while clearly in pain before eventually returning to the floor.
Even with the discomfort, Towns still finished with 17 points and 10 assists, continuing to impact the game in multiple ways as New York closed out the series.
New York has reason to think that with a player of such caliber and level, they have the makings of a threat. Towns is not only scoring for the Knicks but also passing and creating the opportunity to change the dynamics of their game with different matchups; however, the downside of foul trouble, along with the physical wear and tear, may reduce his ability to perform effectively and topple his opponents when the tension is at its highest.
If the conference finals become a battle for possession in a half-court setting, the Knicks will require his physical fitness rather than mere provisions of his talents.
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