Anunoby (hamstring) declined his $19.9 million player option for 2024-25 on Monday and will become an unrestricted free agent, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.
It was inevitable that Anunoby would decline his player option, as he has a reported market value of around $35 million-plus per year going into free agency, which starts June 30. The 26-year-old has proven his worth as a solid wing defender and three-point shooter, but his injury history is another factor teams will consider before making him an offer. Anunoby was traded from the Raptors to the Knicks on Dec. 30, and he averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks across 34.9 minutes in 23 regular-season appearances for New York.
Anunoby (hamstring) won't return to Sunday's Game 7 against the Pacers, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
Smith and ESPN's broadcast said Anunoby, who started in his return from a four-game absence and scored five points in five minutes before exiting, won't return Sunday. However, Fred Katz of The Athletic relays that the Knicks haven't officially ruled Anunoby out yet. Miles McBride started the second half in place of Anunoby.
Anunoby (hamstring) is active and will start Sunday's Game 7 against the Pacers, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Anunoby will return to action for the decisive Game 7 after missing the previous four matchups due to a left hamstring strain. Josh Hart is also available despite suffering an abdominal strain during Game 6. Anunoby had 28 points (10-19 FG) in 28 minutes during Game 2 before suffering the injury, but he'll likely face some limitations Sunday.
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Knicks' OG Anunoby: On track to play
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Anunoby, who's officially listed as questionable due to a left hamstring strain, is on course to play in Sunday's Game 7 against Indiana, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
The Knicks could have Anunoby, who's missed the last four games, and Josh Hart (abdomen) available for the deciding Game 7. While the pair are trending toward playing, their availability won't be made official until closer to the 3:30 ET tip. If Anunoby goes, Precious Achiuwa would likely see less work and Jericho Sims could be pushed out of the rotation. Considering Anunoby hasn't played since May 8, he could be under a minutes restriction Sunday.
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Knicks' OG Anunoby: Upgraded to questionable
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Anunoby (hamstring) has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday's Game 7 against the Pacers.
The questionable tag is all there is to work with right now in terms of specifics, but New York fans will be thrilled that there's a chance Anunoby is able play for the first time since Game 2. There should be additional clarity on Anunoby's status following the Sunday morning shootaround.
Anunoby (hamstring) has been ruled out Friday for Game 6 in the Knicks' Eastern Conference semifinal round series with the Pacers, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
As expected, Anunoby won't be available for Game 6, and considering he's still been limited to light on-court work since straining his hamstring in Game 2, it's unlikely he would be available for Game 7, if necessary. Miles McBride, Precious Achiuwa and Alec Burks will help pick up the slack in Anunoby's absence.
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Knicks' OG Anunoby: Likely out for Game 6
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Anunoby (hamstring) is expected to remain out Friday for the Knicks' Game 6 matchup with the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals but may return to the lineup thereafter, Brian Windhorst reported Wednesday on ESPN's "Get Up" program. "He's out of the pool and doing some court work for the Knicks," Windhorst said of Anunoby. "If the Knicks advance, the fact that he's already out there on the court and doing some light work makes it a possibility that the Knicks could see him in the Eastern Conference Finals should they get one more victory."
Anunoby sounds unlikely to return to action for a potential Game 7 on Sunday if the Pacers were to extend the series with a win Friday, but the 26-year-old looks like he could be ready to go for the start of a conference finals series with the Celtics or Cavaliers if his hamstring responds well to on-court work. After Precious Achiuwa had started in place of Anunoby in Games 3 and 4, Miles McBride entered the starting five for the Knicks' Game 5 win as part of a small-ball lineup.
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Knicks' OG Anunoby: Progressing in recovery
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Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said that Anunoby (hamstring) -- who remains out for Tuesday's Game 5 matchup with the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinal round, has been getting in some "light work on the court," Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Anunoby will miss his third straight game due to a left hamstring strain. While the 26-year-old forward is progressing in his recovery, his status for Game 6 on Friday is in doubt.
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Knicks' OG Anunoby: Likely out for remainder of series
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Anunoby (hamstring) is targeting a return for the Eastern Conference Finals, per Chris Haynes on TNT's NBA Tip-Off broadcast.
Anunoby is already set to miss his third straight game Tuesday due to a left hamstring strain and now appears likely to miss the remainder of the series against Indiana. If the Knicks are able to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, Anunoby should reclaim his starting spot. However, Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa will likely continue to receive increased playing time in his absence.
