The New York Knicks are bracing for a test against the Brooklyn Nets with a short-handed deck, and the margin for error just got thinner. The final injury report paints a clear picture: OG Anunoby is out again, Mitchell Robinson is a true game-time call due to illness, and Landry Shamet is still sidelined. For a team that leans on defense, rebounding, and smart shot selection, this is the kind of night where role players can tilt the game.

OG Anunoby’s hamstring: caution over risk

OG Anunoby will miss his fourth straight game with a left hamstring strain. The injury dates back to November 16, and the Knicks are choosing caution. According to team updates and expert guidance referenced this week, the expectation is for a careful re-assessment in the near term — roughly within the next one to two weeks. That’s a moderate timeline, and it makes sense. Hamstrings are tricky, and rushing could mean setbacks that last much longer.

Anunoby’s absence is more than a missing name. He’s a two-way forward who guards elite wings and spaces the floor on the other end. Without him, the forward rotation stretches thin, and matchups get harder. New York loses a top option for switching and for taking the toughest perimeter assignment. That pressures everyone else on the court.

“No OG means every defensive possession gets louder and longer.”

Mitchell Robinson’s status: illness clouds a timely return

Mitchell Robinson is listed as questionable with illness, and his status could swing the game. Big picture, there was recent good news: after ankle surgery in May, Robinson progressed to full 5-on-5 scrimmages. That’s a major benchmark and hints his legs are under him again. But an untimely illness now puts his availability in doubt for tonight.

If Robinson plays, the Knicks reclaim their anchor in the paint. He changes shots, cleans the glass, and gives the offense easy second chances. If he sits, New York must patch together the center minutes and live on team rebounding. The difference can be the hidden math of the game: extra possessions and fewer fouls.

“If Mitch plays, the glass belongs to New York.”

Landry Shamet’s shoulder sprain: spacing on hold

Guard Landry Shamet remains out with a right shoulder sprain and is ruled out for this matchup. Reports from November 23 suggested he would be sidelined until at least November 26. His shooting would have helped. Shamet’s gravity stretches defenses and opens driving lanes, especially in lineups short on pure spacing.

Without him, New York will need to manufacture clean looks through drive-and-kick, strong-screen actions, and quick ball movement. That puts a premium on crisp execution and low turnovers.

Who steps up: Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson

In the short term, minutes consolidate. Expect Josh Hart and Jordan Clarkson to see larger roles. Hart brings energy, toughness, and rebounding from the wing. He can guard multiple positions and push the ball to create easy points. Clarkson offers instant offense. He can heat up fast and carry bench units through dry spells.

The formula is simple: Hart sets the tone on effort plays, Clarkson supplies buckets, and the rest of the rotation stays disciplined. If both hit their marks, New York can survive the missing pieces.

“Hart’s hustle plus Clarkson’s shot-making is the Knicks’ safety net tonight.”

What it means against the Nets

The Nets challenge you to defend the arc and finish possessions. That’s where Anunoby and Robinson would normally shine. Without OG, the Knicks may need more help at the point of attack and quicker rotations on shooters. Communication becomes the most valuable skill on the floor.

Rebounding will tell a story. If Robinson suits up and looks like himself, the Knicks’ ceiling rises. If not, New York must win the effort stats: long rebounds, 50-50 balls, and transition defense. That’s where Hart’s activity and team discipline matter most.

The numbers behind the names

• OG Anunoby: Out (left hamstring strain), fourth straight game. Re-assessment expected soon based on recent expert guidance and team updates.
• Mitchell Robinson: Questionable (illness). Recently cleared for 5-on-5 post-May ankle surgery; availability tonight is uncertain.
• Landry Shamet: Out (right shoulder sprain). Ruled out for this game; earliest return timeframe was noted as after Nov. 26.

These statuses come from the final injury report and corroborating updates via Athlon Sports’ November 24 report, plus recent notes from ESPN and CBS Sports. A November 21 conversation with an NYU Langone orthopedic specialist underscored the careful approach on Anunoby’s hamstring, pointing to a moderate, not rushed, return window.

How the rotation might adjust

Without Anunoby and Shamet, look for the coaching staff to lean on versatile lineups. More two-guard looks, more small-ball moments, and more sets that feature quick dribble handoffs to create rhythm threes. Expect staggered minutes so that at least one primary creator is on the floor to settle the offense.

The Knicks can also lean into defense-first groups to grind down the pace. That’s a smart way to control flow when scoring is by committee.

Bottom line: one swing factor

This game likely tilts on one question: does Mitchell Robinson play, and for how long? If he’s active, New York regains its rim deterrence and put-back threat. If he isn’t, the group must gang-rebound and avoid foul trouble to keep the Nets off the line and off the glass.

Either way, the pathway is clear: tighten the rotations, value every possession, and trust the bench to carry the load. The Knicks don’t need perfect; they need solid, repeatable habits for 48 minutes. With Anunoby and Shamet out, and Robinson a coin flip, that’s the formula.

And if the updates break New York’s way before tip? Then the Knicks have just enough to make it feel like a typical city game: close, loud, and decided in the final five minutes.