It’s currently the New York Knicks who are delivering the most impressive performances on the basketball court among all the remaining playoff teams.
In fact, they even managed to sweep the Philadelphia 76ers despite not having OG Anunoby in the last two games.
Now that Anunoby is likely to return for the Eastern Conference Finals, there’s another angle to the story that needs to be figured out.
In the closing moments of Game 2 against Philadelphia, Anunoby got a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. He was out for Games 3 and 4 to recover, and, from all indications, he should be ready and expected to be back for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The difficult issue, however, is the fate of Landry Shamet.
How Landry Shamet Stepped Up Without OG Anunoby
GettyKnicks Face Unexpected Landry Shamet Problem After OG Anunoby Update
With Anunoby out, Shamet went from scraping single-digit minutes to being one of New York’s most reliable bench contributors overnight.
In Game 3, he scored 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 26 minutes, more than he had totaled across his previous eight playoff games combined. He then added 12 points in Game 4, knocking down four three-pointers as the Knicks tied the NBA playoff record for most threes made in a game with 25.
Before the injury opened the door, Shamet had averaged just 1.7 points in 9.2 minutes across his first eight playoff appearances. The bigger role brought out a different version of him. He was not just a spot-up shooter either. He guarded Paul George in the second quarter of Game 3 and held him scoreless during that stretch.
“You just stay ready,” he said. “It felt good, it felt good to get out there with my teammates, it felt good to get a win. We have one more.” Shamet said after Game 3.
That kind of production off the bench fits right into what this Knicks team has been doing all postseason. Even without Anunoby, they were dominant on both ends.
What OG Anunoby’s Return Means for Shamet’s Minutes
GettyKnicks Receive Huge OG Anunoby Boost But New Concern Emerges
When Anunoby returns, so will his minutes. The thing is straightforward. Before the injury, he played at an average of 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game in the playoffs while also shooting 61.9% from the field. The Knicks without a doubt are a better team with him on the court for the complete duration of the game.
What that means for Shamet is the problem. He is making a one-year, $3 million deal and that ends this summer, so he will be an unrestricted free agent. Two very good playoff games in a conference semifinal sweep are definitely able to be Shamet’s next contract negotiations. More minutes in the game from that point on will be the New Yorkers’ last opportunity to showcase their talents and that door is closing very quickly.
The Knicks are about to face off against either Detroit Pistons or Cleveland Cavaliers, with the first NBA Finals appearance since 1999 being decided. Nothing can get more exciting than this.
Mike Brown won’t be smashing the rotation just to keep everyone happy. However, finding a way to Shamet involved without taking anything away from Anunoby is going to be one of the more fun things to watch as this run goes on.
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