Knicks Rumors: OG Anunoby 'Isn't Comfortable Playing Through Pain' When Injured

Just when it seemed like some of the New York Knicks' injury concerns were being alleviated, OG Anunoby's elbow issues are causing more problems.

Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, citing sources familiar with Anunoby's tenure with the Toronto Raptors, wrote that the 26-year-old forward "isn't comfortable playing through pain."

Anunoby returned to the Knicks' lineup on March 12 against the Philadelphia 76ers. He missed the previous 18 games after having surgery to remove a loose bone fragment in his right elbow on Feb. 8.

The veteran forward played in three straight games before being ruled out for Monday's contest against the Golden State Warriors when his elbow flared up. Head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters that Anunoby flew back to New York and would be listed as day-to-day after an MRI came back clean.

"You can't work backwards," Thibodeau told reporters on Monday when asked about how long Anunoby might be out. "There's many steps he had to go through. He met all the markers. He was cleared. This is a possibility. Whenever you come back from surgery, this is what you're looking at. And so, we feel good about where he is. And just give him the time he needs."

There was a noticeable dip in Anunoby's performance in the last game he played. He scored two points on 1-of-8 shooting against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday after scoring a combined 26 points on 11-of-22 shooting in his first two games back.

Thibodeau said Anunoby is unlikely to play on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets. The Knicks are also playing without Julius Randle, who has been out of action since Jan. 29 after suffering a dislocated shoulder against the Miami Heat.

There remains no timetable for Randle to return. SNY's Ian Begley reported on Tuesday that it's "unclear" if the three-time All-Star has been cleared for contact.

Anunoby was averaging 15.6 points on 51.6 percent shooting, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game in 14 starts for the Knicks prior to his original injury.

New York (41-27) has won four straight games to move back into the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference standings.