NBA Notes: Knicks, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Pacers, Game 7

Injured New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby and wing Josh Hart could play in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinal NBA playoff series on Sunday, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

“Anunoby and Hart will participate in the team’s walk-through hours before the game and, barring a setback, are expected to make themselves available with a berth in the conference finals against the Boston Celtics on the line, sources said.” Wojnarowski wrote.

Anunoby has been out since Game 2 after suffering a left hamstring strain, and Hart suffered an abdominal strain in Game 6. New York has already lost All-Star power forward Julius Randle, as well as Mitchell Robinson and forward Bojan Bogdanovic with season-ending injuries.

Anunoby has been invaluable since being acquired in a trade with the Toronto Raptors in December — averaging 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals in eight playoff games. New York is 26-5 with Anunoby.

Hart is averaging nearly 43 minutes a game in the postseason and is averaging 14.9 points, a team-best 11.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.

“Almost any movements for Hart stir pain, including coughing and breathing,” Wojnarowski wrote. “There is no escaping the pain, which is something that can be avoided with other parts of the body.”

Pacers

Meanwhile, the game marks a first when it comes to Game 7s, wrote Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star.

They won going away at home on Friday, but things will most certainly be different at Madison Square Garden.

“It’s the ultimate game,” coach Rick Carlisle told NBA reporters. “It’s a great opportunity. … This team has been through a lot of new experiences over the last 3 1/2 weeks and this will be another new one. We’ll do everything possible to get them ready. In Game 7s, it comes down to compete level and how well you’re tied together.”