The New York Knicks’ exciting season came to an abrupt end on Sunday when they fell short against the Indiana Pacers 130-109 in a Game 7.
The Pacers were extremely effective offensively in the game, making 54% of their three-pointers and 67% of their shots overall. They also responded to every Knicks run with a run of their own, increasing the lead.
The Knicks struggled with injuries even more during the game. OG Anunoby began the game and made his first two shots, but he was clearly limping up and down the court. Anunoby had missed the previous four games due to a hamstring injury. After five minutes, he substituted out and never came back.
Josh Hart, who was questionable prior to the game due to an abdominal strain, was essentially inconsequential. In addition, Jalen Brunson broke his hand in the second half and did not return, despite having carried the Knicks all season with five postseason games of forty points or more.
Given that the Knicks were already playing without Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Mitchell Robinson during this series, in some ways it was a fitting way to end the team’s season. The Knicks simply were unable to stay healthy in the second half of the season to witness their full potential.
Following the game, head coach of the Knicks, Tom Thibodeau, acknowledged with sadness how his team’s injuries had mounted despite applauding their fight.
“I thought guys gave everything they had and that’s all you can ask,” Thibodeau said. “It was a battle all year and there was nothing left to give.”
Randle did not play after January with a dislocated shoulder. Anunoby missed considerable time with bone spurs in his elbow. Robinson got ankle surgery, returned late in the year, but re-injured his ankle and had to get surgery again after Game 1. Bogdanovic got hurt in Game 4 against the 76ers in the first round and did not play again.
“I felt that’s all you can ask for, guys—they gave everything they had,” Thibodeau remarked. “It was a year of struggle and there was nothing more to offer.”
Due to a dislocated shoulder, Randle did not play after January. Due to bone spurs in his elbow, Anunoby missed a significant amount of time. After having ankle surgery, Robinson was cleared to play again late in the season, but after Game 1 he re-injured and required more surgery. Bogdanovic did not play again after suffering an injury in Game 4 of the first round against the 76ers.
The Knicks will focus on signing Anunoby and Isaiah Hartenstein, both of whom are expected to demand large contracts, as they head into the offseason. The Knicks might look for another big player, but if they stay healthy, they should have enough players to compete
