OG Anunoby Injury Update: Which Knicks Player(s) Now Rise in Fantasy Basketball?

The Knicks expect OG Anunoby to miss time with a right hamstring injury, raising the stock of Miles McBride, among others.

May 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) falls to the court after missing a shot against the Philadelphia 76ers during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Knicks are crossing their fingers for positive news regarding the injury of OG Anunoby. Their starting forward suffered a right hamstring injury late in game 2, exiting early on a strong 24-point effort. Test results should be out on Thursday, but early indicators point towards a hamstring strain. The severity is what is to be determined. In the meantime, the Knicks will very likely have to modify their lineup for Game 3, pointing to a few higher-upside options for fantasy basketball and DFS players.

Fantasy Basketball Impact

The odds of Anunoby being out for Game 3 stand quite high. The odds that he also misses Game 4 are rising sharply. The Knicks will look in a new direction, in which Miles "Deuce" McBride expects to get the nod. The Knicks expect to start: Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and Karl Anthony-Towns.

McBride should be able to slot into Anunoby's role with a different skill set, but a similar usage rate. McBride plays to a 15% usage rate while Anunoby's is 18%. By replacing Anunoby, McBride can easily play in that 17-20% range.

As for fantasy basketball, McBride will offer reduced value as compared to Anunoby. McBride makes half the number of field goals that Anunoby does, and 20% of the rebound rate. McBride is a 3-point shooter at 34% of 3-pointers made while on the court. Nonetheless, he hugely falls short.

Ultimately, the Knicks spread the ball around quite a bit. Outside of Brunson and Towns, the team has no player with high game-by-game upside. Anunoby is the closest thing to a high-upside player. Not even Bridges trends all that highly. If Anunoby is owned in playoff fantasy basketball, pivot to other waiver wire options, if your league allows that.

Waiver Wire/DFS Replacement Suggestions

• Max Strus (CLE) — 25.0 MPG, 32% 3PT Rate, 22.4% Rebound Rate, 20.5% Assist rate
• Terrence Shannon Jr. (MIN) — 23% Usage Rate, 23.0 MPG, 27% Field Goal Make Rate, 22.2% 3PT Rate, 23.4% Fouls Drawn Rate

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OG Anunoby Injury Update

The injury has volatile expectations until imaging is completed. Stay tuned for further updates.

Anunoby is widely expected to have one of two results:

• Hamstring 'Tweak'; very minor strain — Out 1-2 games
• Grade 1 Hamstring Strain — Out 1-2 weeks (likely whole series)

The grade 1 hamstring strain seems to be the likeliest result. Given that the teams have not yet released details, fear of a strain is very apparent. Knicks fans will now put their trust in Brunson and Towns, but doing so comfortably while up 2-0 in the series and with Joel Embiid never healthy, whether active or not.