The New York Knicks are hoping to have OG Anunoby available when they take the court Sunday for Game 7 of their second-round series against the Indiana Pacers. Anunoby was upgraded to questionable as a result of his hamstring strain. He has been out of the lineup since Game 2.

This series has seen the home team win each of the first six games. The Knicks have been battered by injuries throughout the postseason, but they got past the Philadelphia 76ers and have made it to the final game of this series. The winner of Game 7 will meet the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Anunoby has been out since Game 2 and the change in his status to  questionable was made on the Knicks' injury report Saturday. He is expected to go through shootaround Sunday before the team makes a decision on his status for the decisive game.

In addition to the OG Anunoby injury, the Knicks also listed guard Josh Hart as questionable. Hart left the Game 6 loss to the Pacers with an abdominal strain in the fourth quarter.

Knicks need Anunoby and Hart

Both Anunoby and Hart are key performers for the Knicks. Anunoby averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game during the regular season while playing more than 34 minutes per game. Hart averaged 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per regular season game while playing more than 33 minutes per game.

Hart has seen even more action in the postseason. He played every minute in the Knicks wins in the first two games of the series.

His teammates seem quite sure that he will be able to play in the series finale. Star guard Jalen Brunson pointed out that Hart will do whatever he can to play because it is Game 7.

Big man Isaiah Hartenstein said that Hart will find a way to play. “Knowing him, he'll do whatever to play,” he said. “If his leg's not falling off, he'll do whatever to play.”

Pacers responded to head coach Rick Carlisle in Game 6 victory

The Pacers were blown out in the pivotal fifth game of the series, dropping a 121-91 decision. Head coach Rick Carlisle knew his team didn't come close to playing its best game and he criticized his players.

After his team was battered in the rebound battle with a minus-24 deficit, the Pacers won the rebound battle in Game 6. They also cut down dramatically on their own turnovers and they were able to square the series with a 116-103 victory.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton explained that Carlisle did not pull any punches in addressing his players. Haliburton had 15 points and 9 assists in the victory.

“Coaches challenged our effort, I think that was the biggest thing,” Haliburton said. “We had some boneheaded things happen [in Game 5].  He just really challenged our group [players] 1-15 on how can we be better.”