Knicks Hit With Brutal OG Anunoby Injury Update, Return Timeline

Injuries are now becoming a bigger concern for the New York Knicks after the first few weeks of the NBA season. Jalen Brunson was recently ruled out and set to miss time with an ankle sprain and OG Anunoby is the most recent star to hit the injury report.

Anunoby left the Knicks’ recent win over the Miami Heat with a left hamstring strain, and though there was initially uncertainty on when he would return, the latest injury update from the wing player doesn’t

bode well for New York’s immediate future.

OG Anunoby’s Injury Sends Knicks Into Immediate Crisis Mode

“New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby will be re-evaluated in two weeks due to a left hamstring strain, sources tell ESPN,

” insider Shams Charania wrote in a post on X.

The 28-year-old didn’t return to the game against Miami after leaving early with a hamstring strain. After an uncertain status in the first 36 hours after the

game, the forward has now been ruled out for at least two weeks. He will also not travel on the team’s upcoming five-game road trip.

In his previous 12 appearances for the Knicks this season, Anunoby was averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 47.6% shooting.

What The OG Anunoby Injury Update Means For New York

A hamstring strain usually implies some missed time, but before Charania’s update, it was uncertain how long Anunoby would be out.

“The Knicks said they would see how Anunoby feels Saturday, though it’s expected he will get an MRI to reveal the extent of the injury,” Tim Bontemps wrote for ESPN after Anunoby suffered his hamstring strain on Friday.

But now, he joins Brunson on the team’s injury report, as both are expected to be out for a decent stretch of the early part of the season.

The 6’8

” forward remains one of the team’s key pieces on defense, along with Mikal Bridges, but his absence will definitely be felt by a team that lacks top-tier depth. While his injury might not yet spell disaster for the team, it does mean some changes are coming for a Knicks squad that expects to compete for its first NBA championship in more than 50 years.

Who Steps Up For The Knicks?

The injuries of the two key players mean Karl-Anthony Towns, Bridges, and others will be forced to take on a bigger role in the future

Brutal Karl-Anthony Towns Update Reveals Deeper Knicks Problem

“Anunoby went back to the locker room in the first quarter and was quickly ruled out with a strained hamstring,

” CBS Sports Rotowire staff wrote on Friday, before the extent of Anunoby’s injury was revealed. “With the Knicks already without Jalen Brunson (ankle), Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns are likely to shoulder most of the offensive load, while

Anunoby’s absence could mean more opportunities for Landry Shamet, Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson.”

Though Towns was dealing with a lingering injury to begin the year, the center has now gotten back to peak performance, dropping 39 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in the game against Miami without Brunson and Anunoby. After a shaky start,

he’s now averaging 21.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while playing in all 12 Knicks’ games.

Shamet also had his best performance of the year against Miami, putting up 36 points on 63.2% shooting. With Brunson out, he will likely take on a bigger scoring and playmaking role for the time being.

But while Shamet, Hard, Clarkson, and Miles McBride will take on the replacement roles for Brunson, Bridges will also have an elevated role on the wing with Anunoby now sidelined. He is once again putting up

strong, consistent numbers for the Knicks and will now have an even bigger role on the defensive side.

Dolphins are one aggressive trade away from shaking up the AFC East

It's do or die for the Miami Dolphins this season. If they can't turn things around and at least earn a spot in the playoffs, it could be the end of the current regime. They've made a few aggressive moves in recent months, but there are still some glaring holes on their roster.

Recently-unretired Darren Waller is set to be Miami's starting tight end this year. He's nice to have on the roster, but it's hard to trust him to perform at a high level, especially early in the season. The Dolphins could use an upgrade at the position in a big way.

Cleveland Browns star David Njoku might just be the perfect solution.

Dolphins could pull off massive David Njoku trade to challenge for the AFC East title

Njoku is in the last year of his contract with the Browns. In Cleveland's current salary cap situation, there's a good chance that they let him walk in free agency next offseason. If that's the case, they should be open to trade talks, especially considering their meager outlook for 2025 and their recent investment in rookie Harold Fannin Jr.

The Dolphins, on the other hand, don't have the luxury of focusing on the future. Mike McDaniel and Chris Grier are on the hot seat, and they can't afford another disappointing finish. An aggressive move for Njoku would be a risk, but it's one they might need to take.

The veteran tight end would give Miami one of the most dangerous groups of pass catchers in the league. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the field, defenses would be forced to leave a major threat in one-on-one situations. McDaniel would thrive with that many weapons at his disposal.

The Dolphins have spent too long falling short of their division rivals. The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots have run the AFC East for decades, but it's time for Miami to challenge for the throne. If they can't do it this year, they might need to enter a full-scale rebuild.

Njoku isn't a cure-all for this roster's needs. The defense is still shaky at certain positions, and there are questions about the offensive line and Tua Tagovailoa's health. Miami will need a few things to go its way to make it back into the postseason, even with an upgrade at tight end. But this would take the team one step closer to being truly competitive with an elite offense.