OG Anunoby progressing in Knicks recovery with return still uncertain

The Knicks had a positive update for OG Anunoby.

Sunday marked two weeks since he suffered a left hamstring strain, the date the team set for his reevaluation.

He is not yet cleared for full contact, but he is doing controlled on-court work, coach Mike Brown said, including 3-on-3 scrimmaging.

“He’s doing on-court work, which is a good step for him in the process,” Brown said before the Knicks’ clash against the Raptors on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. “We’re continuing to monitor him. We’re not gonna rush him.”

Brown still does not have an exact timetable for when Anunoby will return.

Sunday marked the seventh straight game the Knicks played without Anunoby.

In the first six, the Knicks went 4-2.

Brown said he has learned more about his roster while Anunoby has been out.

“You have to play other guys,” Brown said. “Sometimes you gotta play smaller guys against bigger guys because OG is a big wing. You find out who you can throw out to, who you can give extended minutes to, but also you’re not looking for one player to replace OG on either end of the floor. It’s gotta be a collective effort.”

By far their best defender, who usually guards the opponent’s best scorer, Anunoby’s absence provided the biggest blow on that end of the floor.

Though defense has not been a team strength this year, the Knicks have not seen a huge drop-off in that department without Anunoby.

The opposite, actually.

Across the first 12 games with Anunoby playing, the Knicks recorded a 114.3 defensive rating — 16th in the NBA.

Across the six games without Anunoby entering Sunday, that mark actually improved to 113.3 — 12th in the NBA.

Without the ability to rely on Anunoby, the Knicks’ team defense improved overall.

It’s a positive development that they can capitalize on even when Anunoby returns.

“I gotta give our guys credit. Our team defense has gotten better,” Brown said. “They’re trying to trend upwards. We’re gonna run into some hiccups and go the other way, but they’ve been trying to do their best on the defensive end on the floor. Not just with what the game plan is, but with their focus and their effort and all that stuff, physicality without fouling.”