Knicks’ OG Anunoby leaves game with left hamstring strain against Heat
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New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby sustained a left hamstring strain in the opening quarter of Friday night’s matchup with the Miami Heat and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest, the team announced.
According to the New York Post, the 6-foot-7 wing grabbed the back of his leg immediately after missing a layup on a fast break and headed straight to the locker room. He did not return, and Jordan Clarkson opened the second half in his place. Head coach Mike Brown could also turn to Josh Hart or Landry Shamet for additional minutes while Anunoby recovers.
Strong start to the season interrupted
Anunoby, a 2022-23 All-Defensive Second Team selection, had averaged 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals over 33.5 minutes in his first 11 starts of the 2025-26 campaign. He was shooting 48.3% from the field, 39.7% from three-point range and 76% at the free-throw line, highlighted by a season-high 26-point effort in Chicago on Oct. 31. The 28-year-old appeared in 74 games last season, matching his career high and marking only the second time he surpassed the 70-game plateau.
Brunson sidelined with ankle sprain
The Knicks were already without point guard Jalen Brunson, who was ruled out earlier on Friday after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain of his right ankle. The injury occurred late in Wednesday’s 124-107 loss to the Orlando Magic. With New York trailing by 16 and 1:54 remaining, Brunson landed awkwardly, prompting questions about why he was still on the floor.
“I’ve been a part of some crazy comebacks,” Brown told reporters before Friday’s tipoff, explaining his decision to leave Brunson in the game. “A stop and two threes and it’s a two-possession game. I was just trying to win.”
Miles McBride entered the starting lineup in Brunson’s absence. ESPN reported that the sprain affected the same ankle that cost Brunson 15 games last season. Through 11 starts this year, the guard is averaging 28 points, 6.5 assists and a career-best 86.3% from the foul line while shooting 46.7% overall and 36.9% from beyond the arc.
New York begins a five-game road swing Monday in Miami.
Source: Basketball Insiders
