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New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby is still recovering from elbow surgery, but he believes he’ll be back on the court before the playoffs start.
When asked on Tuesday if he’s optimistic that he’ll return during the regular season, Anunoby told reporters, “Yeah, yeah. For sure. Hopefully, just following the doctor’s orders… just progressing day by day but I’m feeling better and better.”
Anunoby underwent surgery to remove a loose bone fragment in his right elbow on Feb. 8. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time that he was expected to resume basketball activities in three weeks.
Per Newsday’s Steve Popper, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said Tuesday that Anunoby was “on track” with his recovery and he’s started doing cardio and left-handed basketball work.
New York acquired Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors on Dec. 30 and he made an immediate impact. In 14 games before he was sidelined, the Knicks went 12-2 and Anunoby averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three-point range. When he went down with his injury, the Knicks lost five of their next nine games before the All-Star break.
In addition to Anunoby’s injury, the Knicks have been dealing with the absence of star power forward Julius Randle, who has been out since Jan. 27 due to a right shoulder injury. Anunoby said he’s hoping to help the team get back to the level it was playing at before his injury.
“I’m definitely excited to get back,” he said. “I think the whole team is excited to play together again and go on another run.”
The Knicks will play their first game after the All-Star break on Thursday when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers.
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