The New York Knicks can push the Philadelphia 76ers to the edge of elimination on Friday night, but the Game 3 injury report adds real uncertainty to a series already tilted 2-0. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
New York listed OG Anunoby as questionable with a right hamstring strain, Josh Hart as questionable with a left thumb sprain, and Mitchell Robinson as probable with an illness. That matters because both Anunoby and Hart have been central to the Knicks’ balance on both ends, while Robinson has given them a stabilizing presence around the rim in limited minutes.
Anunoby has been one of New York’s most productive players in the playoffs, averaging 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Hart has been just as important in a different way, averaging 8.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists while doing the work that helps the Knicks win possession battles.
Robinson’s availability also matters because his size changes New York’s second-chance defense. He has averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in the postseason, and even short bursts from him can affect how the Knicks handle Joel Embiid’s physicality.
Philadelphia’s report is shorter, but it carries more star power. Joel Embiid is questionable with a sprained right ankle and right hip soreness, while Tyrese Maxey is available despite a right finger tendon strain that requires a splint.
Embiid has still been productive in the playoffs, averaging 25.2 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists, but the Sixers need him closer to full strength to survive another home loss. Maxey has been Philadelphia’s most reliable scorer in the postseason, putting up 25.1 points and 6.0 assists per game.
That combination makes the injury report the main storyline before Game 3. If the Knicks get Anunoby and Hart, their perimeter defense and rebounding should stay in a strong place, and that is where they have built the 2-0 lead with wins of 137-98 and 108-102.
The first two games already showed the gap New York has created, but Friday night is the kind of game where one injury update can change the entire tone of a series. For Philadelphia, this is close to must-win territory.
