Knicks facing major injury questions ahead of Game 7

Knicks swingman Josh Hart suffered an abdominal strain during Friday’s loss at Indiana, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic. Hart will attempt to play in Game 7 Sunday afternoon, Charania adds.

New York could also have OG Anunoby back in its lineup on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who notes that the versatile forward has been upgraded to questionable on the team’s official injury report. Anunoby has been sidelined since Game 2 with a strained hamstring and Wojnarowski hears that he’ll likely go through shootaround before his status is determined.

Hart, who has been an iron man throughout the playoffs, was limited to about 30 minutes in Game 6. He asked to come out of the game in the first quarter and even though he was able to return, he was clutching his abdomen during play stoppages.

Hart appeared to get injured while boxing out Pascal Siakam on a missed free throw, according to Kristian Winfield of The New York Daily News. Hart grabbed at his abdominal area after the play and bent over in pain. The Knicks have listed him as questionable for Sunday as well.

Hart has been an indispensable part of New York’s postseason success, averaging 14.9 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists through 12 games. He has also been a fiery leader and has embodied the team’s “next man up” approach through a long series of injuries. He played all 48 minutes in the first two playoff games against Indiana and was logging 40.4 minutes per night in the series before Friday.

Coach Tom Thibodeau wasn’t able to offer any insight into Hart’s condition after Friday’s game, telling reporters “we’ll see” when asked about his availability for Game 7 (video link from New York Post Sports).

“He seems like he’s feeling better now,” McBride said of Hart following the loss. “I’m not sure about the whole situation, but obviously for a guy like that who’s pretty tough, asking out is not a good sign, but I think he’ll bounce back.”