![\"OG](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/2025-04-19T230147Z_849168513_MT1USATODAY25970376_RTRMADP_3_NBA-PLAYOFFS-DETROIT-PISTONS-AT-NEW-YORK-.jpeg\" "\\"OG")
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Apr 19, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) looks to drive past New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) in Game One of the First Round of the NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
OG Anunoby<\/a> heard Josh Hart\u2019s comments following Tuesday\u2019s loss<\/a> to the Houston Rockets loud and clear. The 28-year-old big man stepped up as the focal point in the New York Knicks<\/a> offense in resounding wins against the Memphis Grizzlies and Chicago Bulls this week. He registered 25 points on the road against Memphis on Wednesday before cashing in 31 points at home against Chicago last night to earn some high praise from his head coach following last night\u2019s victory.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOG\u2019s a great shooter,\u201c Mike Brown said postgame<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s a rhythm player, like most guys. It took him a little bit of time to find his way (due to injuries). Just watching him as of late, you can see his rhythm overall: attacking the rim, quick decisions, finishing, shooting the ball and playmaking. So, I would say it was more him getting back into it after the injury.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Anunoby\u2019s scoring has been inconsistent this season due to a pair of injuries: a strained left hamstring <\/a>in November 2025 and a toenail avulsion injury<\/a> in February 2026. Still, coach Brown never lost faith in the 6-foot-7 forward. He has consistently averaged 33 minutes per night as a core member of the Knicks\u2019 starting rotation. Brown understands Anunoby\u2019s impact is felt on both sides of the floor even when he wasn\u2019t consistently draining his shots.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great defender,\u201d New York\u2019s coach stated after the 40-point blowout win<\/a> on Friday night. \u201cHe does a lot of different things that people don\u2019t see at that end of the floor. His versatility is off the charts and you can do a lot of things in your defense because of him. In my opinion, he deserves first team All Defense this year. Hopefully the powers that be see it that way, too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Anunoby was honored with a 2022-23 All-Defensive second team<\/a> selection after leading the league with 1.9 steals per game during that campaign. He is not very far off from that average with 1.6 steals per contest<\/a> in 2025-26. Anunoby is tied with Luka Doncic<\/a>, Kris Dunn<\/a>, and Herbert Jones<\/a> for sixth-best in the league with\u00a0 four games remaining in the regular season to separate himself from that grouping.<\/p>\n The Knicks return to action with a road matchup against the Atlanta Hawks tomorrow night before a critical contest against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden<\/a> on Thursday night. New York closes out the regular season next weekend with home dates against the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets.\u00a0<\/p>\n