The designation appears precautionary. Anunoby logged 38 minutes, 18 points and eight rebounds, anchoring New York’s perimeter defense, and Knicks coach Mike Brown said everyone practiced on Sunday, suggesting no setback for the forward.
Anunoby’s presence remains pivotal for the Knicks, offering defensive versatility and wing scoring. New York outscored Atlanta by nine points during his 38 minutes in Game 1, and his return would bolster their ability to defend multiple positions while maintaining balanced scoring.
The Hawks face a key injury concern with starting center Onyeka Okongwu, listed as questionable due to right knee inflammation. He delivered 19 points and seven rebounds in 38 minutes in Game 1 but finished with a team-worst minus-12 rating; if he is unavailable, Mouhamed Gueye and Tony Bradley could see increased frontcourt minutes.
Okongwu’s status could also impact Karl-Anthony Towns, who dominated the opener and could benefit from any Hawks frontcourt adjustments. Towns finished with 25 points on 13 shot attempts, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a perfect 10-for-10 from the line.
Game 2 is set for 8 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, as the Knicks look to build on their momentum. With Anunoby trending toward full availability and Okongwu’s status up in the air, New York has a favorable position to seize control of the series, while Atlanta will lean on depth in the frontcourt to balance the matchup.
