Sims racked up one rebound, one assist and one block across four minutes during Friday's 116-103 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Sims played four minutes of garbage time as the Knicks were soundly beaten by the Pacers. Known for playing his stars' heavy minutes, even in losses, common sense prevailed with Tom Thibodeau closing with his second unit. Despite another ankle injury to Mitchell Robinson, Sims has been unable to carve out a consistent role, something that doesn't bode well for his future when looking beyond this season.
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Knicks' Jalen Brunson: Leads all scorers despite loss
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Brunson amassed 31 points (11-26 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-9 FT), one rebound and five assists in 38 minutes during Friday's 116-103 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Brunson ended with a game-high 31 points, the majority of which came in the final quarter. He struggled to find his rhythm early in the game, at one point missing 11 consecutive shot attempts. The Knicks lost Josh Hart late in the game due to an abdominal injury. If the injury causes him to miss or at least play limited minutes in Game 7, Brunson will need to be at his absolute best, if New York has any chance of moving onto the next round.
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Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein: Held in check Friday
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Hartenstein contributed four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one steal over 33 minutes during Friday's 116-103 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Hartenstein was unable to repeat his heroics from Game 5, grabbing just seven total rebounds in the loss. Coming off an astonishing 12 offensive rebounds, he struggled to have a meaningful impact as the Knicks were simply outclassed. With the series now deadlocked at 3-3, the two teams will face off one final time in Madison Square Garden on Sunday, with the winner moving on to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Hart left Friday's Game 6 against the Pacers early with abdominal soreness and wasn't able to return. He finished with five points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block in 31 minutes.
Hart has been powering through a variety of issues in the playoffs, but the Knicks likely erred on the side of caution Friday due to the lopsided score. Presumably, Hart will be ready for Game 7 on Sunday, but there should be more clarity on Saturday when the Knicks practice.
Anunoby (hamstring) has been ruled out Friday for Game 6 in the Knicks' Eastern Conference semifinal round series with the Pacers, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
As expected, Anunoby won't be available for Game 6, and considering he's still been limited to light on-court work since straining his hamstring in Game 2, it's unlikely he would be available for Game 7, if necessary. Miles McBride, Precious Achiuwa and Alec Burks will help pick up the slack in Anunoby's absence.
Anunoby (hamstring) is expected to remain out Friday for the Knicks' Game 6 matchup with the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals but may return to the lineup thereafter, Brian Windhorst reported Wednesday on ESPN's "Get Up" program. "He's out of the pool and doing some court work for the Knicks," Windhorst said of Anunoby. "If the Knicks advance, the fact that he's already out there on the court and doing some light work makes it a possibility that the Knicks could see him in the Eastern Conference Finals should they get one more victory."
Anunoby sounds unlikely to return to action for a potential Game 7 on Sunday if the Pacers were to extend the series with a win Friday, but the 26-year-old looks like he could be ready to go for the start of a conference finals series with the Celtics or Cavaliers if his hamstring responds well to on-court work. After Precious Achiuwa had started in place of Anunoby in Games 3 and 4, Miles McBride entered the starting five for the Knicks' Game 5 win as part of a small-ball lineup.
Hart supplied 18 points (7-16 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes in Tuesday's 121-91 win over Indiana in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
After being a non-factor in the Knicks' Game 4 loss Sunday, Hart bounced back to grab double-digit rebounds for the eighth time this postseason. Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein dominated the glass in Game 5, combing for 28 of the Knicks' 53 rebounds Tuesday. Hart is averaging 15.8 points on 45.9 percent shooting, 12.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.0 steals over 43.6 minutes per game this postseason.
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Knicks' Jalen Brunson: Scores 44 points in Game 5
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Brunson finished Tuesday's 121-91 win over the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 44 points (18-35 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-7 FT), four rebounds and seven assists across 43 minutes.
Brunson led the Knicks in scoring for the eighth time this postseason and the third time this series. After going 16-for-43 over the previous two games, Brunson was far more efficient with his 35 shots in Game 5, his most of the playoffs. He's averaging 33.9 points on 45.1 percent shooting, 3.8 rebounds and 7.5 assists over 41.0 minutes per game in the postseason.
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Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein: Ties Knicks record in Game 5
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Hartenstein contributed seven points (2-3 FG, 3-4 FT), 15 rebounds, five assists and one block over 31 minutes in Tuesday's 121-91 win over the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Hartenstein registered double-digit rebounds for the second time this playoffs. He was responsible for 12 of New York's 20 offensive rebounds, which tied Charles Oakley for the most in a playoff game in Knicks history. Hartenstein has continued to provide crucial minutes for the Knicks in the absence of Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Hartenstein is averaging 8.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Knicks' OG Anunoby: Likely out for remainder of series
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Anunoby (hamstring) is targeting a return for the Eastern Conference Finals, per Chris Haynes on TNT's NBA Tip-Off broadcast.
Anunoby is already set to miss his third straight game Tuesday due to a left hamstring strain and now appears likely to miss the remainder of the series against Indiana. If the Knicks are able to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, Anunoby should reclaim his starting spot. However, Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa will likely continue to receive increased playing time in his absence.
