NBA Notes: Knicks, OG Anunoby, Raptors, Scottie Barnes, Lakers

Knicks

The Knicks will be without OG Anunoby for at least two weeks. He’ll be reevaluated then, per ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Anunoby strained his left hamstring in the first quarter of Friday’s win over Miami and didn’t return.

Stefan Bondy of The New York Post noted the injury appeared to happen on a fast break, when Anunoby grabbed at the back of his leg after a missed layup.

Jordan Clarkson started the second half in his place. It’s a tough blow for New York. Anunoby was averaging 17.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 steals while shooting 40 percent from deep. Josh Hart, Landry Shamet and Clarkson should see more minutes.

Jalen Brunson also sat out Friday. He suffered a Grade 1 right ankle sprain late in Wednesday’s loss to Orlando.

Knicks coach Mike Brown explained why Brunson was still on the floor down 16 with under two minutes left.

“I’ve been a part of some crazy comebacks,” Brown said, via the New York Daily News. “A stop and two threes, and it’s a two-possession game. I was trying to win the game.”

Miles McBride got the start with Brunson out.

Raptors

The Raptors are three games over .500 for the first time since February 2022, as noted by Sportsnet’s Michael Grange.

Scottie Barnes said it feels good, but he’s keeping it in perspective.

“It’s been a long time, man,” he told Grange. “We can’t take nothing for granted. Just because we’re over .500, that don’t mean nothing.”

Toronto has a chance to build on its 8-5 start. The next four games come against the Hornets, Sixers, Wizards and Nets.

With Barnes playing like a star and Brandon Ingram fitting in, the Raptors suddenly have some momentum.

Lakers

Rui Hachimura missed his first game of the season on Saturday in Milwaukee with a sore left calf.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said Hachimura had been dealing with the issue “all week,” per Khobi Price of the Orange County Register.

“With a back-to-back, probably just smart to hold him out,” Redick said.

Marcus Smart also sat with a viral illness, leading to starts for Bronny James and Jake LaRavia.

It was James’ first start of the season and the second of his career. He played 10 minutes, below his usual workload.

For the record, rookie forward Adou Thiero made his NBA debut. He scored four points in five minutes.

But after the game, there was a small controversy. Jarred Vanderbilt tried to give Thiero the game ball, only for crew chief Pat Fraher to grab it and hand it to a Bucks attendant.

“[Fraher] said he’s going to write me up,” Vanderbilt said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I don’t know what he was reaching for. What, was he going to take the ball home or something?”