PHILADELPHIA – OG Anunoby’s absence has left some big shoes to fill.
The Knicks were absolutely ready for the challenge.
They got help from the starting line-up, as Mikal Bridges finished with 23 points – his second-highest output of the postseason. They got help from the bench, as Landry Shamet – who had been out of the swing earlier – went up for 15 points and helped close the game.
There were huge responsibilities up and down the list. And the Knicks accomplished it en route to their 108-94 Game 3 victory over the 76ers on Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, giving them a 3-0 lead in the series.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Jalen Brunson said. “Obviously we want everyone to come back healthy. But it was important for everyone to step up and have the right mindset. To do whatever you have to do to win.”
Friday was too fast for Anunoby, who was coming off a right hamstring strain he suffered in Game 2. The next snap revealed it’s a “very minor” strain, The Post’s Stefan Bondy previously reported, and he’s considered day-to-day with confidence he shouldn’t miss much time.
The Knicks would not say Friday whether Anunoby can run or what he can do on the court.
Miles McBride started in place of Anunoby, but struggled with his shot. It was Shamet who was effective in helping fill the gap, and he ended up playing more than McBride – 26 minutes compared to 21. Shamet went 5-for-6 from the field and 2-for-3 from 3-point range.
“Landry didn’t play a drop off all playoffs,” said coach Mike Brown. “I think the first game, he was playing in the rotation and then the second one a little bit, then he was out. That’s six, seven games that he didn’t see significant minutes on the court. Landry was big for us tonight. He was big on both ends of the floor.
“We needed a spark from somebody when we were down and he hit us in the mouth and Landry gave it to us.”
Anunoby has been the most consistent player for the Knicks this postseason, averaging 20.3 points on an impressive 61.9 percent shooting from the field and 53.8 percent shooting from three-point range. His defense — on Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu in the first round against the Hawks and especially Paul George in this second-round series against the 76ers — has been excellent.
Without Anunoby, Bridges sometimes had to slide down and guard George and was very effective. After scoring 15 points in the first quarter, George was held scoreless until he missed nine of his shots.
“Everybody picked it up,” Josh Hart said. “It’s one of those things where the next guy comes along. Obviously we say that but it means more opportunity for the guys. Mikal has done an amazing job. Deuce [McBride] he gave us what he had. Landry, a top specialist, gives us big minutes offensively and defensively. We responded well to that difficulty.”
