The New York Knicks fell to the Los Angeles Lakers on February 1, but the bigger concern for fans was OG Anunoby’s injury. The 6’7” forward sustained a non-contact injury in the third quarter. After making a quick pass, he headed straight to the locker room. Less than 20 minutes later, the Knicks announced he was out with a right foot sprain.
While the Knicks made some smart offseason trades to boost their title hopes, depth remains an issue. Head coach Tom Thibodeau relies heavily on his starters, and Anunoby’s two-way impact is crucial for New York.
Dr. Brian Sutterer provided an update based on video footage, though he isn’t treating Anunoby personally. He discussed potential ligament damage that could be the cause of the injury, and the outlook might be concerning.
OG Anunoby’s foot injury may be season-ending
Dr. Brian Sutterer pointed out that the biggest concern would be a potential Lisfranc tear, though fans can watch his full analysis in the video below.
Chet Holmgren experienced a similar injury before his rookie season, causing him to miss the entire 2022-23 campaign. If OG Anunoby is diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury that requires surgery, he would be sidelined for the rest of the season.
However, Dr. Brian Sutterer provided some optimism, noting that damage to other foot ligaments could limit Anunoby’s absence to just a few weeks. Knicks fans are hoping for the best, though the initial signs weren’t encouraging. The 27-year-old was visibly in pain and has a history of injuries.
Anunoby has played more than 50 games in a season only once since 2020. Saturday marked his 49th game of the current season, which could unfortunately be his last if the injury is severe.
This year, Anunoby has averaged 16.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 36.7 minutes per game, shooting 47.9% from the field and 36.0% from three. His two-way impact has been vital, and if he’s out for the season, the Knicks may be more aggressive ahead of the February 6 trade deadline.
It was a tough night at Madison Square Garden, and fans now await further updates on Anunoby’s condition. There’s still hope it could be a minor foot sprain, sidelining him for only a few weeks. Until a definitive diagnosis is provided, fans are left to decide whether to be optimistic or brace for the worst. Stay tuned for the latest updates.