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The Indiana Pacers grabbed a much needed win in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks. Facing the devastating prospect of dropping to an 0-3 hole, the Pacers responded with clutch play down the stretch to hold the Knicks off. But injuries have been piling up for both the Pacers and Knicks with some potential bad news for the Knicks as per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Knicks were already short-handed coming into the NBA Playoffs with the season-ending shoulder injury to Julius Randle. But they lost OG Anunoby due to a hamstring injury in Game 2. He did not suit up in Game 3, has been ruled out for Game 4 and it’s not looking good for Game 5 as per Wojnarowski.
“I’m told there has not been enough progress yet to think that his return is likely in Game 5 on Tuesday,” Wojnarowski said. “Now after that Game 5 on Tuesday, there are two days off before Game 6 on Friday so maybe there’s some hope there, but the Knicks are going to have to continue to win and try to put away this series without OG Anunoby.”
“It is a war of attrition right now for this Knicks roster. They are, I think, at the bare minimum to be able to hold off this Indiana team.”
The Pacers have been dealing with injury issues too as Tyrese Haliburton was listed as questionable for Game 4 on Sunday due to back and ankle issues. But according to Wojnarowski, Haliburton is expected to play in Game 4.
Knicks roster being pushed to the limit due to injuries
While the Knicks are still in control of their semifinal series against the Pacers, the injuries are starting to pile up. Not only are they now without Julius Randle and OG Anunoby, but Mitchell Robinson is out for six to eight weeks due to an ankle injury and Jalen Brunson has been dealing with a foot injury.
Brunson first suffered the foot injury during the Knicks Game 2 win at home. Although he left the game for a period of time, he was ultimately able to return to the game. He suited up in Game 3 and he is not listed on the Knicks injury report for Game 4, but he struggled in Game 3 to find a rhythm which was likely a combination of his injury and the Pacers defense.
In Game 3, Brunson finished with 26 points, but shot only 10-26 from the field and 2-6 from the three point line. One of the key adjustments the Pacers made was taking Andrew Nembhard off of Brunson and instead switching Aaron Nesmith as the primary defender.
The injuries give Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau a limited roster to work with in terms of the second unit. But they got big minutes from Alec Burks in Game 3 who had not played in this series to this point. Burks dropped 14 points off the bench in 21 minutes while shooting 4-6 from the field and 2-4 from the three point line. They also got ten points off the bench from Miles McBride who has been a revelation this season.
More must-reads:
- Heat star's continued tenure in Miami is far from guaranteed
- How Tyrese Haliburton's injury could define Celtics' postseason
- The '10 or more All-NBA Team selections' quiz
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