The Knicks hope to have two key front-line players back in their lineup within the next three weeks, ESPN’s Shams Charania said on NBA Countdown, providing medical updates on Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby.
Robinson, who has been sidelined since ankle surgery last summer, hopes to return to action by March 1, according to Charania. He recently received medical clearance to practice without restrictions and is expected to start participating in five-on-five practice games soon.
There have been numerous trade rumors involving Robinson in the past month, but the Knicks have not had any substantive talks about him. Instead, they sent Jericho Sims to Milwaukee as part of a four-team deal that left the team a bit shorthanded in the middle.
Anunoby, who misses his third straight game tonight, is not expected to return until after the All-Star break, Charania added. That means he will also miss Tuesday’s game at Indiana and Wednesday’s home game against Atlanta.
Anunoby was initially diagnosed with a sprained right foot, but Charania says it’s actually a big toe issue. He adds that it’s “more of a nagging injury” than anything structural.
Anunoby, who has appeared in 49 of the Knicks’ first 51 games, is averaging 16.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 36.3 minutes a night. Injuries limited him to 50 total games last season with New York and Toronto.