OG Anunoby expected to play Game 1

OG Anunoby moved closer to returning for New York’s opener in the Eastern Conference finals after the Knicks forward fully participated in practice on Saturday. The Associated Press reported Anunoby was a full participant for the first time since injuring his hamstring, and NBC Sports, citing SNY’s Ian Begley and ESPN’s Shams Charania, said he is expected to be available for Game 1. The 28-year-old forward has been one of New York’s most productive playoff players. StatMuse lists Anunoby at 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds in eight postseason games, and a playoff stat page for the Knicks shows he has shot 61.9% from the field and 53.8% from three-point range. New York enters the conference finals with an 8-2 playoff record after sweeping Philadelphia in the second round. (apnews.com) Jalen Brunson has averaged 27.4 points in 10 playoff games, according to the same Knicks playoff stat page. ### What changed in Anunoby’s status this weekend? Saturday’s practice was Anunoby’s first full session since the hamstring injury, according to the Associated Press. (statmuse.com) That update followed several days of reports that New York expected him back for the start of the next round, barring a setback. (landofbasketball.com) Friday’s reporting also pointed in that direction. The New York Post said Anunoby was a full participant in practice on Friday after what it described as a mild hamstring strain. ### How much has Anunoby meant to New York’s playoff run? Anunoby has averaged 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals in the 2026 playoffs, according to StatMuse. (apnews.com) The Knicks playoff stat page lists his shooting line at 7.5 made field goals on 12.1 attempts per game. Brunson has remained New York’s top scorer at 27.4 points per game, while Karl-Anthony Towns has averaged 17.4 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists, according to the same team playoff numbers. (nypost.com) Those figures help explain why New York has advanced despite Anunoby missing time late in the Philadelphia series. (statmuse.com) ### When did the injury happen? Game 3 against Philadelphia was when Anunoby tweaked his hamstring, NBC Sports reported, and he sat out Game 4 of the sweep. The report said he likely would have returned sooner if the series had extended. The Associated Press described Saturday’s practice as a step toward restoring New York’s starting lineup before the conference finals. (landofbasketball.com) That would give the Knicks back one of their primary wing defenders as they prepare for a new matchup. ### Who will the Knicks face, and when is Game 1? (nbcsports.com) Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, according to NBA schedule reporting and regional coverage of the series calendar. New York is waiting for the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers-Detroit Pistons series. If Cleveland advances, USA Today reported, the Knicks would host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. (apnews.com) If Detroit advances, Sports Illustrated’s Knicks coverage said Game 1 would be in Detroit. ### What is New York watching over the next two days? Mike Brown said this week that the Knicks were taking Anunoby’s recovery one day at a time, according to NBC Sports. (nba.com) That leaves the official designation for Game 1 dependent on how Anunoby responds after returning to full practice. (usatoday.com) Tuesday, May 19, is the next fixed date on the schedule. By then, New York is expected to have clarity on both its opponent and whether Anunoby is cleared to open the Eastern Conference finals in the starting lineup. (northjersey.com) (nbcsports.com)