Knicks expect OG Anunoby for conference finals

OG Anunoby moved closer to returning for the New York Knicks on Friday after fully practicing for the first time since straining his right hamstring, according to the Associated Press. The Knicks have been off since completing a second-round sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers, giving Anunoby additional recovery time before the Eastern Conference finals begin. (msn.com) ESPN's Shams Charania reported on May 13 that there was optimism Anunoby would be available for Game 1, barring setbacks. The NBA's playoff bracket lists the Eastern Conference finals opening on Tuesday, May 19, with New York awaiting the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers-Detroit Pistons series. (sports.yahoo.com) (nba.com) ### How close is Anunoby to playing? Friday's practice in Greenburgh, New York, was Anunoby's first full session since the injury, the AP reported. Head coach Mike Brown said Anunoby "did everything" in practice, a step up from Wednesday, when Brown said the forward participated only in parts of the workout and did not go live. May 13 was the first public indication from ESPN that Anunoby was trending toward Game 1. Charania said on "SportsCenter" that Anunoby had resumed basketball activity and that the expectation and hope was he would be ready for the conference finals opener if there were no setbacks. (msn.com) ### What exactly happened to his hamstring? Game 2 against Philadelphia was when Anunoby got hurt. Yahoo Sports, citing Charania's report, said Anunoby exited late in the fourth quarter with a right hamstring strain and then missed Games 3 and 4 of New York's sweep. (usnews.com) Wednesday's practice showed he was not yet back to full speed. Brown said then that Anunoby took part in some portions but sat out the live segments, according to AP coverage carried by other outlets. Friday's full practice marked the clearest sign yet that the strain had improved enough for normal team work. (sports.yahoo.com) ### How well had Anunoby been playing before the injury? Through eight playoff games, Anunoby was averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from three-point range, according to Yahoo Sports and AP-based reports. Those numbers made him one of New York's most efficient postseason scorers before the injury interruption. (sports.yahoo.com) The 28-year-old has also contributed defensively. Yahoo's report listed 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game in the postseason, adding to the Knicks' two-way production during their run through the East bracket. (msn.com) ### When do the Knicks actually open the East finals? The NBA's official playoff page shows the Eastern Conference finals beginning on Tuesday, May 19. New York's opponent had not been set as of Saturday because Cleveland and Detroit were tied 3-3 in the other East semifinal series. Sportsnet reported Saturday that the site of Game 1 depends on Sunday's Game 7. (sports.yahoo.com) If Detroit advances, the Pistons would host Games 1 and 2; if Cleveland advances, the Knicks would open at Madison Square Garden. ### What are the Knicks waiting on now? Sunday's Game 7 between the Cavaliers and Pistons will determine both the opponent and the location of the opener. The Knicks, who swept Philadelphia 4-0, have not played since last weekend and have used the layoff to get healthier before the next round. (sports.yahoo.com) Tuesday, May 19, is the next fixed date on the schedule. By then, the Knicks are expected to know whether Anunoby is available and whether Game 1 will be in New York or on the road against Detroit. (nba.com) (sportsnet.ca)