Knicks Lose Key Piece for Game 5

The New York Knicks will be without their starter once again.

Jeremy Brener | May 14, 2024

May 6, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) controls the ball / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks were hopeful that forward OG Anunoby would return to the court when the series went back to the Big Apple. However, those hopes have been denied.

According to SNY reporter Ian Begley, Anunoby will miss his third consecutive game tonight against the Indiana Pacers.

The Knicks have been electric with Anunoby in the lineup, and it's clear that he makes a difference when he isn't out there.

During the regular season, the Knicks were 20-3 when Anunoby played, but they were 30-29 with him either not in the lineup or on the roster. In the playoffs, the Knicks are 6-2 when he plays and 0-2 when he doesn't, proving that his regular season success wasn't a fluke.

Having Anunoby on the court significantly helps the Knicks, especially on the defensive end. Anunoby can defend his former teammate Pascal Siakam or even Tyrese Haliburton if needed, and it's clear that the Pacers have an easier time with him not there.

With Anunoby out, Precious Achiuwa has started the past two games for the Knicks. However, with the series now tied, it's possible that coach Tom Thibodeau may go in a different direction. Either way, the Knicks have to fill in the gaps with his absence, and it won't be easy in the most important game of the season so far.

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Published May 14, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.