Knicks’ OG Anunoby Dealing With Pain, Soreness In Surgically Repaired Elbow

Anunoby underwent right elbow surgery on February 8 to remove a loose bone fragment.

“There’s gonna be some times where there’s gonna be soreness,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said. “He played through it. He was fine. Medical looked at him. There’s gonna be times where he gets hit and you just try to keep going.”

The Knicks are 2-0 since Anunoby returned from his injury. They beat the Philadelphia 76ers on March 12 and defeated the Portland Trail Blazers last night (3/14). 

“It’s just sore,” Anunoby said. “Nothing happened. Just went for a ball, and it hurt randomly, but it’s fine. I haven’t done it in a while. Just getting used to it. You can’t re-create that in return to play and practice.”

The Knicks acquired Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors. They are 14-2 with the wing in the lineup. 

One of the best defenders in the NBA, Anunoby is averaging 15.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in 16 games with the Knicks, who are 39-27 overall on the season. 

Anunoby is making $18.6 million this season. He can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option worth $19.9 million. 

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Anunoby could take a contract discount to stay with the Knicks, who are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

“Anunoby held meetings with several agencies this past offseason when he decided to leave Klutch Sports, telling potential representation he was interested in a larger offensive role that would be commensurate with a salary figure in the ballpark of $40 million in average annual value, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” Fischer wrote. “However, Anunoby did leave those potential agents with the impression he would be willing to accept a smaller figure if he were to have landed in New York, sources said. And it’s relevant to note the Indiana product did ultimately sign with CAA, which has deep connections to New York leadership.”

Anunoby has career averages of 12.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Raptors and Knicks. He helped Toronto win the 2019 championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games.