It happened again.
Another reminder OG Anunoby’s the surgically repaired elbow remains fragile just two games back on the ground after an operation in early February.
3:35 left in the second quarter Knicks eventually win 105-93 against Portland Trail Blazers late Thursday night, Anunoby slid downfield while Portland center Deandre Ayton made a move in the low post.
The play resulted in a steal for Anunoby – and an immediate strain on a right elbow just six weeks removed from a game. procedure to remove a loose bone fragment.
Anunoby immediately grabbed the elbow. It was the second time in as many games that a previously normal basketball play resulted in abnormal shooting elbow pain.
In Tuesday’s victory against the Philadelphia 76ersAnunoby stole the ball and came out in transition for a right-handed dunk.
He winced in pain and shook his elbow after the play.
And his reaction after the blow to Ayton was worse.
As expected for an organization navigating life after surgery with a forward integral to its deep playoff hopes.
“He knew things like this were going to happen,” head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “There will be bumps and bruises every game, then you check after the game, then you check in the morning, but we expected there to be bumps and bruises.”
After the sweep on Ayton, Anunoby removed himself from the game and had his elbow examined by Knicks head athletic trainer Dr. Anthony Goenaga.
He then returned to the game to start the second half and played the final 10 minutes and 29 seconds of the fourth quarter, totaling 36 minutes on the night.
Anunoby’s desire to continue playing through pain tells his coach and teammates everything they need to know about the star forward’s injury status moving forward.
“I feel like if he was hurt, he wouldn’t play,” All-Star guard Jalen Brunson told reporters in Portland after the game. “I think a lot of us have a mentality like that. He went back there, so that’s a telltale sign.
A weak elbow is also to be expected considering Anunoby spent nearly seven weeks off the court following his last game on Jan. 27 against the Miami Heat.
“There will be times where there will be pain, so he played despite that. He was fine,” Thibodeau told reporters. “The doctor has examined him, and there will be times when he will be affected, and we have to continue. So we’ll see where he is tomorrow.
It’s clear the Knicks are transforming into a dark horse contender for a deep playoff run when Anunoby is on the court. They are now 14-2 in games he played since arriving in the Dec. 31 trade with the Toronto Raptors for 8-10 in games from Anunoby and Julius Randle (dislocated shoulder) were absent due to injury.
That’s why the Knicks — and Anunoby — need to be careful with the two-way wing’s workload, as difficult as the idea may be to grasp given the importance of each game in a crowded Eastern Conference.
The Knicks need Anunoby to be as close to 100% when the games start counting come playoff time — but playoff time might not arrive if Anunoby doesn’t play as many minutes as possible.
Just 3.5 games separate the No. 4 seed Knicks from the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, with just 16 games remaining on the schedule and three Western Conference contenders in Sacramento, Golden State and Denver, next in line. calendar.
Which means the Knicks need Anunoby, regardless of form, on the court to solidify their playoff status.
“Just the fact that he’s on the pitch makes the difference. We’re obviously happy he’s back. The things he can do make us a better team,” Brunson said. “It’s tough and obviously we want the best for everyone. Above all, we want them to be healthy. But I mean, if you go back there, that means you’re okay. Things are going to happen. You’re going to get beaten up. We have everyone back. Just make sure everyone takes care of each other first.
