CLEVELAND — OG Anunoby’s long-awaited return didn’t go so properly.
The ahead, who missed the earlier 5 video games with a sprained proper foot, scored simply 5 factors in 27 minutes and couldn’t assist a Knicks protection that was crushed Friday night time by the Cavaliers, 142-105.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned he anticipated a bumpy efficiency.
“It was about what I thought it would be,” the coach mentioned. “There were some good minutes early, and then there’s some rust he’s got to work through, but I thought he had good energy.”
In his first feedback since final month, Anunoby supplied solely brief solutions however alleviated any issues a couple of play within the third quarter when he took a spill on the courtroom and held his foot.
“Just a misstep,” he mentioned.
Anunoby, who was icing his foot after Friday’s loss, labeled his damage “a midfoot sprain” after ESPN referred to as it a “toe injury.”
“Felt good to get back,” he mentioned. “Feeling better and better as the season goes on.”
Anunoby, 27, hadn’t performed since Feb. 1 towards the Lakers, when he stepped gingerly to the locker room following a non-contact damage that occurred as LeBron James closed out on the 3-point line.
The Knicks went a formidable 5-1 in his absence, demonstrating one thing they didn’t final season — success with out their prime defender.
Mitchell Robinson remained out Friday night time whereas recovering from his ankle surgical procedure, and a league supply mentioned the middle additionally will miss Sunday’s recreation in Boston.
Robinson hasn’t performed since April however returned to full-contact follow this week.
Whereas awaiting and banking on Robinson’s return, the Knicks didn’t make a commerce for much-needed frontcourt depth on the deadline.
Rookie Ariel Hukporti, who performed 20 minutes Friday, presently is the backup middle.
“Just his energy [is what I like]. That’s the biggest thing,” Thibodeau mentioned of the rookie. “There’s all the time going to be a studying half to what he does.
“I’d rather have a guy have the energy than try to wind a guy up. He’s always had good energy. And obviously, there’s a lot of room for improvement.”
