OG Anunoby's Status in Doubt: Knicks Risk Losing Key Leader in 76ers Series. The Knicks lead the series against the 76ers, but OG Anunoby may miss Game 3 due to injury. Philadelphia has already played without Joel Embiid. Tensions mount ahead of the matchup in Philadelphia.
Before the third game of the series between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers, both teams face complications due to injuries to key players. The Knicks, leading 2-0, may be without OG Anunoby—the team's second-leading scorer. According to American media reports, the forward suffered a right hip strain late in the second game and is now questionable for the upcoming match.
In the previous game, the Knicks secured a 108-102 victory, but the loss of Anunoby could seriously disrupt the balance of power. In the current playoffs, he is averaging 21.4 points per game and is considered one of the team's most versatile players. A decision on his availability will be made right before the game.
Roster Issues
The Philadelphia 76ers have already faced personnel problems: Joel Embiid missed the second game due to hip and ankle issues. Despite the absence of their leader, the team held on until the final quarter, but eventually fell short due to fatigue and a short rotation. Tyrese Maxey logged 47 minutes, while Paul George, VJ Edgecombe, and Kelly Oubre Jr. also had significant workloads.
On offense, Maxey led the Sixers with 26 points, while Oubre and George each added 19. For the Knicks, the top performers were Jalen Brunson (26 points), OG Anunoby (24), and Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted a double-double and recorded seven assists despite foul trouble and limited playing time.
Key Moments of the Game
One of the factors behind the Knicks’ victory was their rebounding and ball control. The New Yorkers committed 13 turnovers but forced their opponent into 18, capitalizing on the advantage in fast breaks with 23 points off turnovers versus 9 for the Sixers. Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse admitted that this component was decisive.
Another problem for the Knicks is the number of fouls. Even without Embiid, the opponent had 28 attempts from the free-throw line, of which Maxey converted 9. New York head coach Mike Brown noted that the team needs to reduce the number of fouls to avoid giving up the initiative to the opposition.
Possible changes
If OG Anunoby is unable to take the court, the Knicks' coaching staff is considering increasing minutes for Miles McBride, who only scored four points in the previous game. Jordan Clarkson or Landry Shamet may also get a chance.
For the Sixers, if Embiid is absent again, Dominick Barlow's role in the paint may increase. In the last game, he played 16 minutes, made all his field goals, and added two rebounds, two blocks, and a steal. However, the main offensive load still falls on Maxey, who is currently converting only 37.5% of his shots and has committed 10 turnovers in two games.
Up next is the third game of the series, which will take place in Philadelphia. Both teams approach it with roster uncertainties and the need to adapt their play due to personnel losses.
