Fewer than two weeks remain in the regular season and the New York Knicks still do not have a clear resolution on the injuries plaguing OG Anunoby and Julius Randle ahead of a pivotal playoff run.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau finally provided a proper label of what had been keeping Anunoby out for the last seven games. What was first described as inflammation in his right elbow has now been diagnosed as tendinopathy, better known as tennis elbow.
The 26-year-old had missed 18 games after undergoing surgery in February to remove loose bodies from that same elbow. While he returned on March 12, he lasted all of three games before going back on the shelf. He has not played since March 16.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Knicks are taking a “wait and see” approach as to whether or not Anunoby can get back and contribute.
“The hope is that the inflammation goes down at some point and he’s going to be able to come back,” Charania said. “The hope is that it’s going to be when more of like which day exactly, which game exactly. When is he going to wake up feeling better, rather than if.”
Still, his prognosis appears to be better than Randle’s, who continues to work his way back from a dislocated shoulder suffered on Jan. 27. His rehab has not taken the necessary steps forward as full contact remains elusive.
“About Julius Randle, it’s a little bit more precarious,” Charania began. “I mean, this is someone that’s been out since January 27. We’re already into April, and he still has not done anything more than controlled contact with a dislocated shoulder.”
The Knicks have been hanging on to the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference despite missing two of their most important contributors, much in part due to the play of Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart.
Prior to Tuesday night’s clash with the Miami Heat, they had been the focal point of a team that had been 9-5 in their previous 14 games since the start of March. If that team remains unchanged in the playoffs, so be it, per Hart.
“I’m looking at it like this is the team we’re going to have,” Hart said (h/t ESPN). “I think that’s how we have to approach it, that those guys aren’t coming back and obviously we’ll be pleasantly surprised if they come back.”
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