INDIANAPOLIS — OG Anunoby missed his fourth straight game Tuesday despite being upgraded to questionable on the injury report.
The two-way Knicks forward hasn’t played since spraining his foot on Feb. 1 against the Lakers.
If he’s not available Wednesday at home against the Hawks, Anunoby’s absence will span the All-Star break and he’d have at least 19 days between games played.
About 90 minutes before tipoff against the Pacers, Tom Thibodeau had called Anunoby a “game-time decision.”
He was then ruled out of what became a 128-115 win.
Precious Achiuwa again started in Anunoby’s spot at power forward, with Miles McBride coming off the bench.
Achiuwa scored nine with 12 rebounds.
McBride finished with 15 points, going 4-for-4 from the 3-point range.
The Pacers were without Myles Turner because of a cervical strain.
Josh Hart has found something new to enjoy in an otherwise “bottom of the barrel” NBA city.
Once applauding Indianapolis for its donut shop and White Castle fast-food option, Hart said he discovered a Jamaican food spot, Yaso Jamaican Grill, during last year’s playoffs.
“Fire Jamaican spot,” said Hart said, who said before scored 30 in Tuesday’s win. “I never thought I was going to say a Jamaican spot anywhere in the Midwest is fire. That was hitting. They got two things that I love. Donuts and Caribbean food.”
He scratched White Castle off the list for gut health reasons.
In his podcast last season, Hart bashed Indy in the context of the city hosting the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
“If I’m not playing the Pacers, I’m not stepping foot in that state,” Hart had said.
The Knicks then spent extended time in Indianapolis while losing to the Pacers in the second round of the playoffs.
“Obviously, they play extremely fast. [Tyrese Haliburton], obviously he can make shots and they take the ball out quick. And obviously that puts a lot of stress on your defense,”“We have to communicate at a high level.”
“Transition defense, but also in the half-court. They move and slip and run around. … We have to be decisive about communication. We have to be ready. It’s a great environment to play in. Obviously, with the playoff series there last year, and for some reason everybody thinks I hate Indiana.”
Jalen Brunson said he accepted another invitation to the All-Star 3-point contest for two reasons:
“One, because I lost it last year,” he said. “And there’s limited gym time [at All-Star Weekend]. So just get some shots up.”
Brunson was eliminated in the first round last year despite collecting 24 points.
Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard then beat Karl-Anthony Towns and Trae Young in the finals.
This year, Towns, the 2022 shootout winner, isn’t participating. Joining Brunson in the competition is Lillard, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Cleveland’s Darius Garland, Miami’s Tyler Herro, Golden State’s Buddy Hield, Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson and the Clippers’ Norm Powell.
