The week had already been difficult for the New York Knicks when Jalen Brunson went down with a right ankle sprain against Orlando. But the situation became even worse during the NBA Cup matchup with the Miami Heat. With 6:52 left in the first quarter, OG Anunoby missed a layup, grabbed his left hamstring, and walked off the floor. Even though New York still pulled out a 140-132 win, all eyes were on Anunoby’s condition after the game.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Anunoby “will be re-evaluated in two weeks” and will not travel with the Knicks on their upcoming five-game road trip. While a two-week check-in is planned, it does not guarantee a return at that time.
Before the injury, Anunoby had started all 12 games for the 8–4 Knicks, averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, and shooting 47.6% from the field and 39.2% from three.
- OG Anunoby suffered a left hamstring strain during the Knicks’ NBA Cup matchup with Miami and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
- The injury comes days after Jalen Brunson sprained his right ankle, leaving New York without both starters at the same time.
- Josh Hart, Miles McBride, Landry Shamet, and Jordan Clarkson are expected to take on larger roles as the Knicks begin a five-game road trip.
Knicks Restructure Their Lineup as Brunson and Anunoby Recover
With both starters sidelined, the Knicks must adjust immediately. Head coach Mike Brown has turned to Miles McBride to replace Brunson. McBride started against Miami and finished with 9 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds. His production is not on Brunson’s level, but he gives New York stability at point guard while Brunson is evaluated daily.
OG Anunoby’s vacancy shifts attention to Josh Hart, who produced a 12-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in 34 minutes during the same game. Hart has averaged 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists this season, making him the most direct fit in the starting lineup.
The injuries also increase opportunities for Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Guerschon Yabusele. Shamet scored a career-high 36 points off the bench in the Heat game, while Clarkson and Yabusele are expected to absorb additional minutes as the rotation reshapes.
Sportsbooks Adjust Game Lines and Futures
The betting market responded quickly once Anunoby and Brunson were ruled out. Across major sportsbooks, the Knicks entered their rematch in Miami as slight underdogs. DraftKings listed New York at +1.5 with a +105 moneyline, while the Heat closed at –1.5 and –125. Covers and other odds boards reflected similar numbers, reinforcing that the market viewed the matchup as competitive but tilted toward Miami because of New York’s unavailable starters.
Totals climbed to 244.5 points, influenced in part by the absence of Anunoby, who averaged 1.9 steals and helped anchor New York’s defensive efficiency.
The injuries also affected long-term markets. According to updated futures boards, the Knicks are priced between +900 and +1300 to win the 2025–26 NBA Finals. Earlier preseason odds placed them at 10–1 for the championship and +325 to win the Eastern Conference. While the Knicks are still viewed as one of the stronger teams in the East, the odds reflect the hit of losing two starters and the uncertainty around when they’ll return.
The Eastern Conference Picture Tightens Around New York
The Knicks arrived in the 2025–26 season with expectations of being one of the stronger teams in the East, especially after acquiring Anunoby during the 2023–24 campaign in a trade involving RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick. They followed that move with a five-year, $212.5 million extension for Anunoby.
New York and Cleveland entered the season projected to control the Eastern Conference, but the early standings tell another story. The Detroit Pistons surged to an 11–2 start, powered by a nine-game run with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren at the center of it. Despite the rise, New York sits second at 8–4, followed by Cleveland at 9–5.
Given those standings, losing Anunoby for at least two weeks and managing Brunson’s injury make this stretch critical. Both players influence New York’s two-way balance, and their absence comes as the Knicks begin a five-game road trip featuring matchups against Miami, Dallas, Orlando, Brooklyn, and Charlotte.
