NEW YORK — Knicks wing OG Anunoby is listed as probable for Monday’s Game 2 against the Hawks after practicing Sunday, head coach Mike Brown said.
Anunoby Practices After Ankle Scare
Anunoby aggravated a pre-existing left ankle sprain in the second half of Saturday’s Game 1 but returned to finish with 18 points and eight rebounds across 38 minutes in the victory. “He came over to the bench and asked me if I could do [spiritual healing] for his ankle; then he went back in and finished the game,” teammate Jordan Clarkson said. The 26-year-old has played heavy minutes since arriving in New York and continues to justify the club’s investment.
Towns a “Pick Your Poison” Problem
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder called Karl-Anthony Towns “a mismatch” for Atlanta’s depleted center rotation. “How do you handle him on the post with a mismatch? How do you handle pick-and-roll? How do you handle him and [Jalen] Brunson on pick-and-roll?” Snyder said. Onyeka Okongwu battled Towns early, but the 7-footer eventually posted 25 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. Atlanta remains thin in the middle after losing Jock Landale.
Hack-A-Mitch Strategy Curbs Robinson
Snyder’s decision to intentionally foul Mitchell Robinson limited the Knicks reserve to 15 minutes. Robinson went 1-for-4 at the foul line and, for only the third time in 61 appearances this season, failed to secure an offensive rebound.
Hart Draws Johnson Assignment
Despite New York’s depth of defensive wings, 6-foot-4 Josh Hart again took the primary task of guarding Hawks star Jalen Johnson, replicating his success from the final regular-season meeting. “One of the things Jalen is really good at is rejecting screens,” Brown noted. “Putting Josh on Jalen and OG on Okongwu gives us a chance to control it a little bit.”
The Knicks lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 heading into Monday night’s matchup at Madison Square Garden.
Source: Hoops Rumors
