The Knicks face mounting challenges with their latest injury concerns. Jalen Brunson suffered a right ankle injury that sidelined him from the NBA Cup game against Miami, causing anxiety throughout New York. Adding to the team’s woes, OG Anunoby abruptly exited the game in the first quarter of this nail-biting matchup after straining his hamstring.

He was ruled out for the remainder of the game, though the severity of the injury has not yet been disclosed. With Miami leading 55-51 and over five minutes remaining in the second quarter, the Knicks found themselves without Anunoby. Jordan Clarkson stepped in to start the second half in his absence.

Anunoby only had five minutes on the floor before that injury struck. He initially went to the bench but left for the locker room to get assessed. The Knicks announced he won’t be returning to the game after that. He tallied 3 points and 2 rebounds on a 1-4 shooting.

The Miami Heat would take a close 36-32 lead at the end of the first quarter. Miami also has two sidelined stars, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, absent from tonight’s game.

This, of course, is a very tense situation for the Knicks and their fans. They’ve seen Brunson leave the arena on crutches only 24 hours ago.

The guard suffered a grade 1 sprain to his right ankle in Thursday night’s game against the Orlando Magic. He was consequently ruled out for tonight’s game. But there’s a looming fear he won’t join the team during the upcoming five-game road trip starting Monday.

Will OG Anunoby have to hang back with him? That’s not clear yet. The 28-year-old stylistically doesn’t fill Brunson’s void. Before the injury curse struck him, too, he was an elite defender who made significant contributions to the offense, which was usually run by Brunson and KAT.

Offensively, he’s smart at taking shots and has an underrated basketball IQ.

Without Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges are carrying the offensive load. And they’re close to a miracle.

OG Anunoby has carried the team amid injuries

It’s almost looking like deja vu. Jalen Brunson missed 15 games last season due to a right ankle sprain. During his absence, OG Anunoby (who was a happy guy eating jollof rice until a few days ago) averaged 23.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.1 steals, and was 47.6% from the field with a 39.2% from the arc. If Brunson’s absence prolongs, the Knicks are going to need Anunoby to be healthy and be that guy again.

Earlier this season, the Knicks appeared to be on the verge of having their terrible injury luck derail the season, too. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and Josh Hart were all doubtful at the start of the season. Not the way Mike Brown would’ve wanted to start his coaching tenure in New York for sure.

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But he’s probably learning to work around the series of unfortunate events in New York. Without Jalen and OG, KAT is driving the team. He exploded for 31 points. And that was only in the first half! He’s put the Knicks at 78-68 at halftime with an opportunity to keep that momentum.

Knicks’ stars have come through when their teammates have been struggling. Josh Hart is delaying surgery and playing through a nerve injury in his shooting hand while also struggling with fewer minutes.

Anunoby made up for Hart’s deficit by averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 48.3% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range in the first 11 contests of the 2025-26 season.

If Anunoby’s injury is not that severe, he probably can rest it out and return for the Knicks’ next game on Monday. It’s going to be a rematch with the Miami Heat, and one of them will be seeking redemption.