Og Anunoby Out For Game 3 Against 76ers In Major Knicks Injury Blow

PHILADELPHIA — Game 3 was too soon for OG Anunoby.

Despite the Knicks’ optimism that his injury is minor, Anunoby was out for their clash against the 76ers Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. He had been listed as questionable heading into the game.

Anunoby suffered a right hamstring strain during the Knicks’ 108-102 Game 2 win on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. But imaging revealed that it is a “very minor” strain, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported, and he is truly considered day-to-day with confidence he should not miss much time.

The Knicks had to play at least one game without him, however. Miles McBride was elevated into the starting lineup in his place.

“Obviously things change a little bit,” Josh Hart said before Game 3. “He’s a great defensive player. So it just means guys that are playing are going to have to step up, cover for each other.”

The Knicks would not elaborate on whether Anunoby is able to run or what he is actually able to do on the court.

“We just have to go out and try to do our job, whatever our job is,” coach Mike Brown said before Game 3. “Nobody has to do anything extraordinary. Defensively and offensively, it’s the same with OG being out. It’s going to be a collective effort for everybody to step up. You always talk about next man up, that’s what it is during this time of the year or the regular season.”

Anunoby appeared to suffer the injury while driving to the basket during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game. He began visibly limping, but remained in the game for a few plays and even attempted a dunk — though he was blocked. He asked for a sub and came out with 2:31 left in the game, went to the locker room and did not return.

He has arguably been the Knicks’ most consistent player this postseason — he is averaging 20.3 points on stellar 61.9 percent shooting from the field and 53.8 percent shooting from 3-point range. His defense — on Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu in the first round against the Hawks and primarily Paul George in this second-round series against the 76ers — has been superb.

Anunoby’s absence left a major hole to fill.

“OG’s been unbelievable,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said before Game 3. “He’s been amazing both in the Atlanta series and in this series. He has been as good as I’ve ever seen him. He just keeps getting better and better, it’s a testament to him to continue to just keep playing. He guards every position. His shooting’s been great, now he’s even, his cutting game is great. Once he dribbles inside the line, you used to kind of think ‘let’s force him inside the line and who knows what’s going to happen.’ Now he’s dunking on people and hitting that 17-footer. He’s been doing everything at a super high level. … I’m a big fan of OG’s.”