Game 6 just wrapped. The New York Knicks outlasted the Celtics 119-81 and punched their ticket to the Conference Finals. But the real eyebrow-raiser? OG Anunoby’s return to the floor—and his solid all-around performance.

With nine minutes left, and a 33-point lead, Coach Thibodeau subbed in OG—the same OG who’s been nursing a hamstring issue since Game 4. Despite shooting 7-of-18 (38.9%), including 4-of-13 from deep (30.8%), OG was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all five attempts. He also contributed 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. A strong stat line—but at what cost?

ESPN’s Richard Jefferson didn’t hold back: “I think OG don’t is going in now. He had it a little ‘hamstring tweak’ a couple of games ago. You’re putting him back in with nine minutes to go in this game.”

Jefferson’s not taking cheap shots. He’s been through these wars. A 17-year vet, he gave Tibbs credit but warned, “You have to start regulating your players and that starts now.” Basically—chill with the old-school “tough it out” mindset. OG’s health is no joke. And Jefferson’s saying what a lot of fans were already thinking.

This is familiar territory for Thibodeau. Heavy minutes. Risky calls. Injuries. Ask Derrick Rose about 2012. Or Jimmy Butler after those marathon playoff runs. It’s a pattern.

Steph Curry just went through it. Grade 1 hamstring strain in Game 1 of the West semis. The Warriors dropped four straight and lost the series. Coach Kerr said it best: “Everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot.”

This isn’t just about New York. It’s playoff reality. OG’s hamstring is on the clock. If the New York Knicks want to keep this thing going, Tibbs has to coach with a little more caution. Or risk letting injuries write the final chapter.

Why the New York Knicks’ Minute Management Could Decide the East

The Knicks’ blowout win over the Celtics in Game 6 was a statement, but it came at a cost. OG Anunoby’s hamstring remains a major concern, and both Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart have been logging marathon minutes throughout the postseason. The Knicks’ rotation has been shortened by injuries, forcing Tom Thibodeau to lean even harder on his starters—a hallmark of his coaching style since his days in Chicago.

Boston’s Jayson Tatum suffered a ruptured Achilles in Game 4 of the semifinals, a moment that swung the series in New York Knicks’ favor. But the Knicks aren’t in the clear. They’re now walking the same tightrope, banking on fragile health and heavy legs to carry them into the Finals.

And it’s not just OG Anunoby the Knicks have to worry about. Josh Hart needed stitches to close a gash above his eye in Game 5—but still battled through it. Jalen Brunson’s dealing with a tweaked ankle, which he notably aggravated again while attacking Al Horford in that same game. If the Knicks can’t get healthy—and stay healthy—they could find themselves in a familiar position: overwhelmed by a fresher, deeper Pacers squad, just like last year.

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Indiana offers a blueprint of the opposite approach. Tyrese Haliburton orchestrates the offense, but the Pacers thrive on balance. Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and multiple bench contributors all average between 8 and 18 points per game in the playoffs. It’s not just scoring—it’s sustainable minutes, shared loads, and legs that stay fresh deep into the fourth.

Where the Knicks lean on grit and star power, the Pacers lean on numbers. That contrast could be the swing factor.

Game 1 tips off May 21 at Madison Square Garden, and with it, the Knicks enter the most unforgiving stretch of the season. There’s no room left for mistakes—whether strategic or medical. One more injury or a bout of fatigue at the wrong moment could flip the series on its head.

If Thibodeau sticks to his old script, the Knicks could burn out before the finish line. The stakes aren’t just on the scoreboard—they’re in the trainer’s room, on the bench, and in every timeout huddle. The question now isn’t whether New York Knicks is better than Indiana Pacers. It’s whether they’ll be healthy enough to prove it.