The New York Knicks will be without one of their most important players when they face the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series on Friday night. Forward OG Anunoby has been officially ruled out after suffering a hamstring strain during Game 2, leaving head coach Mike Brown and his staff to restructure the team’s starting lineup ahead of a game where New York has the opportunity to take a 3-0 series lead. With OG Anunoby sidelined by a hamstring strain, New York turns to Miles McBride in the starting five while Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson get the green light to play
Anunoby’s hamstring strain forces lineup change
OG Anunoby ruled out as Knicks eye 3-0 sweep of 76ers. Anunoby picked up what has been described as a minor hamstring strain during the Knicks Game 2 victory over Philadelphia. He was initially listed as day to day and questionable for Game 3, but the team made the call to keep him out shortly before tipoff, opting for caution over risking further damage to a soft tissue injury.
The decision reflects how valuable Anunoby has been to New York’s playoff run. He has started every postseason game for the Knicks and has played a pivotal role on both ends of the floor. While the injury is not expected to sideline him for an extended stretch, the organization chose not to push him with the series already firmly in their favor.
McBride steps into the starting five
With Anunoby unavailable, Brown turned to guard Miles McBride to fill the vacancy in the starting lineup. The confirmed starters for Game 3 are: Jalen Brunson, McBride, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, and Karl Anthony Towns.
McBride, typically a reserve, will take on a larger role as New York navigates its first game of the 2026 playoffs without Anunoby. The rest of the starting group will also see expanded responsibilities to compensate for his absence. It marks a meaningful test for the team’s depth, even as they enter the game with momentum and confidence from back to back wins to open the series.
Hart and Robinson get upgraded to available
While losing Anunoby is a blow, Knicks get welcome Hart, Robinson boost ahead of the game, the Knicks received encouraging news on two other injury fronts ahead of Game 3. Both Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson, who had been listed as questionable, were upgraded to available and will play.
Hart had been dealing with a thumb injury sustained earlier in the series. He underwent X-rays that confirmed no fracture, and he is pushing through the discomfort. Robinson, meanwhile, had been managing an illness that raised doubts about his availability, but he has recovered well enough to take the floor.
Their return provides meaningful reinforcement for a Knicks team that will need every available body stepping up in Anunoby’s place.
Knicks eye a 3-0 series lead
With the series standing 2-0 in New York’s favor, a win on Friday night would put the Knicks in an extraordinary position heading back to Philadelphia. No team in NBA history has ever recovered from a 3-0 playoff deficit, making Game 3 a potentially decisive moment in this series.
Despite the lineup adjustment, the Knicks enter the game as the team in control. Anunoby’s absence adds a layer of uncertainty, particularly on the defensive end where he has been one of their most disruptive forces, but the rest of the roster has more than enough talent to keep Philadelphia under pressure.
Game 3 tips off at 7 p.m. EST and will be televised on Amazon Prime Video. Anunoby’s status remains day-to-day, and his availability for Game 4 will likely depend on how the hamstring responds over the next 48 hours.
