OG Anunoby questionable vs. Kings as managing elbow issue is new reality after surgery

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Pain and soreness in OG Anunoby’s right elbow isn’t surprising given the limited time after the operation, according to three surgeons who spoke to The Post.

And without rest, the issue is manageable but can also linger — a sentiment that seemed to be endorsed by the Knicks, who listed Anunoby as questionable for Saturday night’s game against the Kings because of “injury management.”

“He needs to shoot, he needs to practice, but at the same time, he needs to rest,” Dr. Leon Popovitz, co-founder of New York Bone & Joint in NYC, told The Post. “But he’s a professional athlete, he needs to get out there. This is probably going to be something he feels the next few weeks.”

The tenderness of Anunoby’s joint was on display Thursday night in Portland, where the forward grimaced in pain and held his joint after sticking his arm out for a successful steal.

Anunoby continued to play but intermittently touched and flexed his elbow, as if bothered by discomfort.

It was his second game back since undergoing elbow surgery to “remove loose bone fragment” in early February, and the sight of his wincing was worrisome considering his recent procedure.