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.
Achiuwa isn't in the starting lineup in Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers, Tony East of SI.com reports.
Achiuwa will be replaced by Miles McBride in the starting five Tuesday. Achiuwa is averaging 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes across his last 10 appearances coming off the bench.
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Knicks' Miles McBride: Enters starting lineup
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McBride will enter the starting lineup for Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers, Tony East of SI.com reports.
The Knicks have dropped two games in a row with OG Anunoby (hamstring) sidelined and the series is tied, so they will shake things up by going smaller. With McBride starting, Precious Achiuwa will head to the bench. McBride was terrific in Sunday's Game 4, scoring 16 points with five rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes.
