The ride to Philadelphia should feel a little lighter with a 2-0 lead in hand. Instead, there is a knot in it now, the kind every Knicks fan knows too well this time of year.
Late in Game 2, OG Anunoby’s exit changed the mood in the building. New York still got the win, but the wait for real clarity suddenly became the story.
Jalen Brunson addresses OG Anunoby injury uncertainty
GettyJalen Brunson speaks on OG Anunoby’s injury.
Anunoby left Game 2 after appearing to hurt his leg on a late dunk attempt. He walked off gingerly, signaled to the bench for a sub, then headed to the locker room and did not return.
What made it tougher was the lack of answers after the game. The Knicks did not offer a specific diagnosis right away, so Brunson was not about to guess in public.
“I’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. I don’t know too much,” Brunson said postgame when asked what it would mean if the Knicks lost Anunoby for any stretch.
That quote felt honest more than cold. It matched the team’s tone in the moment. Nobody was rushing to speculate, and with the series shifting to Philadelphia, that uncertainty matters.
The thing is, Brunson has never been vague about what Anunoby means when he is right. Earlier this season, he said, “He’s unique. Great teammate. He’s a funny dude, one of the funniest teammates I’ve had. He’s a difference maker when he’s on the court.”
He also recently said, “I think the way he’s been able to create space, the way he’s been attacking. Those things have been a key factor for him. Obviously, he’s knocking down shot after shot.”
Then Brunson added the part that really sums up this playoff run. “He’s just playing real aggressive, really downhill… He’s creating havoc, and he’s making good decisions.”
OG Anunoby gives the Knicks far more than a starter’s stat line
GettyOg Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks injury remains a bigger issue against 76ers
The numbers back Brunson up. Anunoby averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals in 67 regular-season games.
In the playoffs, he has jumped to 21.4 points. Before getting hurt in Game 2, he looked like himself again. He finished with 24 points, five rebounds, four steals, and one block in 37 minutes.
If he is limited or misses the next games, the burden shifts fast. Brunson will have to carry even more offense, and Mikal Bridges will likely take on a bigger scoring and defensive job. Miles McBride was the first answer late in Game 2, and Landry Shamet is another obvious candidate for extra wing minutes.
But replacing OG is never one clean move. McBride can space the floor and defend, Shamet can help the shooting, and Bridges can stretch into a bigger role. Still, Anunoby is the guy who lets everything fit together, especially against top wings and in tense road playoff minutes.
That is why Brunson’s short answer said so much. The Knicks do not know yet what this injury means, but everybody watching knows how much is tied to it.
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