The Knicks took an unexpected hit during a crucial stretch. OG Anunoby will be out for at least two weeks after he suffered a left hamstring strain. The injury occurred during the 140-132 win over the Heat. He will be re-evaluated after that period and will not travel on the five-game road trip that starts Monday in Miami. His absence arrives at a critical moment.
During the game, Anunoby missed a layup in transition and immediately showed discomfort. He rubbed the affected area during the timeout, then headed to the locker room and was quickly ruled out. The situation worries New York fans because he already dealt with a similar injury during the 2024 playoffs, a setback that seriously complicated the series against the Pacers.
The outlook is clear for the Knicks
According to the New York Post, Karl-Anthony Towns emphasized the magnitude of the loss. “A lot of what makes us so good, OG is a catalyst for it,” he said Sunday. He highlighted Anunoby’s silent impact and insisted that his value goes beyond statistics. Towns added that the locker room will miss him as much as the court will.
The Knicks also face uncertainty with Jalen Brunson. The point guard will travel with the team, but he remains day-to-day. Coach Mike Brown confirmed that he is ruled out for Monday’s game. Brunson suffered a Grade 1 sprain in his right ankle during the loss to the Magic. Because of that, he completed only light on-court work during Sunday’s practice.
Josh Hart also underlined the loss. “Great one-on-one defense, incredible in gaps, great instinct for the ball and for making plays,” he said. He added that Anunoby’s absence forces everyone to raise their level.
The Knicks will be without OG Anunoby for at least 2 weeks with a hamstring strain. Have to expect it but concerning nevertheless. My reaction. pic.twitter.com/xDbxnZBFdO
— CP “The Fanchise” (@CPTheFanchise) November 16, 2025
Anunoby opened the season on an outstanding note. His 39.2 percent from three strengthened a team that relies heavily on its outside shooting. He also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game, both numbers on pace to be the best of his career. His defensive versatility made him the most valuable piece for Brown.
The coach summed it up clearly. “The first thing is he’s an All-Defense player,” he said. Brown highlighted his ability to guard point guards, centers and everything in between. For him, losing Anunoby means losing size, athleticism and a near-40-percent shooter. His absence hits a team already dealing with physical instability.
