Is Knicks’ OG Anunoby playing vs. Pacers? Latest Game 5 injury update

The news is certainly discouraging. Anunoby has given the Knicks a great deal of energy and hustle during the postseason. The forward averaged 14 points during the regular season, but has proved even more vital in the playoffs. Anunoby has played a lion’s share of minutes, including a whopping 50 minutes in Game 5 of the Philadelphia 76ers series.

With the additional minutes, have come a lot of offense. Anunoby scored 28 points in 28 minutes during Game 2 of the Pacers series. He has missed the last two games, and the Knicks have lost both of them. The team is already having to deal with the loss of Julius Randle, who has missed significant time with a shoulder injury that required surgery. The Knicks are also without Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic for Game 5, as those players are also recovering from surgery.

Anunoby is in his first season with New York, after playing several years for the Raptors in Toronto. This year he is averaging 16 points during the postseason, to go with 6.8 rebounds a contest. He is averaging 40 minutes a game in the playoffs, which is a career high for him.

New York will have to rely once again on their guards to carry them in Game 5, especially Jalen Brunson. Brunson has put up video-game numbers this postseason for the Knicks. Without Anunoby, the front court for New York will likely revolve around Precious Achiuwa, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein. Jericho Sims is also getting minutes with Anunoby out of the lineup.

The Pacers are dealing with some injury issues of their own. Star guard Tyrese Haliburton is questionable for Game 5. Haliburton has been dealing with lower back spasms, as well as an ankle sprain. Bennedict Mathurin is out for the Pacers, with a shoulder tear.

The Knicks and Pacers play Game 5 on Tuesday, in a game that the Knicks need badly. The game tips off at 8:00 Eastern. The series is tied at 2, with the Pacers taking the last two meetings. In Game 4, New York was absolutely embarrassed by the Pacers, losing 121-89. The team will certainly have revenge on their minds as the series moves back to New York on Tuesday.