Playoff basketball is just around the corner, and the New York Knicks comfortably hold the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
They trail only the defending champion Celtics and a young, hungry Cavaliers squad. All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson recently returned after missing 15 games with a sprained right ankle. During that stretch, the Knicks posted a modest 9-6 record.
But a key silver lining emerged in Brunson’s absence: the rise of OG Anunoby.
OG Anunoby’s Breakout Stretch
In this expanded role, OG proved why the Knicks were willing to invest heavily in his two-way potential.
Before Brunson’s injury, he averaged 16.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. But during his last 16-game stretch, including one with Brunson, Anunoby elevated his game across the board, posting 23.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.9 steals per contest.
OG has proven he can score efficiently without needing high usage. During that stretch, he shot 50% from the field, 42% from three, and 87% from the line— good for a true shooting percentage (TS%) of 64%, putting him amongst the league’s most efficient.
Defensively, Anunoby remains one of the league’s most versatile stoppers. He can switch onto guards, wings, and even small-ball bigs. His ability to contain elite scorers while still producing at a high level on the offensive end gives the Knicks a rare, playoff-ready asset.
The 27-year-old Indiana University alum signed a five-year, $212.5 million deal shortly before the season. With that move, Leon Rose and the Knicks’ front office made it clear they were serious about contending. Anunoby’s emergence in Brunson’s absence may have validated that investment earlier than expected.
Could a Big Three Be Taking Shape in New York?
Take a look at recent NBA champions, and there is a common theme in player personnel: most teams feature some variation of an elite guard-wing-forward trio.
- 2024 Celtics – Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday
- 2023 Nuggets – Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr./Aaron Gordon
- 2022 Warriors – Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins
- 2021 Bucks – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton
In the modern NBA, nearly every playoff team features some version of that trio. But it’s the elite teams that have all three pieces clicking at a high level simultaneously.
Quietly, New York is building its own version of that championship-caliber trio.
With Jalen Brunson returning to anchor the offense, the Knicks have their elite guard: a proven scorer and facilitator capable of carrying the load late in games. Next to him, OG Anunoby fills the wing role with exactly the kind of defensive versatility and two-way reliability that modern contenders lean on. He’s a high-level perimeter defender capable of guarding positions one through four, whose impact is reflected in the metrics— 96th percentile in EPM(Estimated Plus-Minus).
Finally, Karl-Anthony Towns adds a unique offensive dimension as one of the most versatile scoring bigs the league has ever seen. His ability to space the floor, shooting the three at a 42% clip on nearly five attempts per game, gives the team’s playmaking guards and wings more than enough room to operate.
The Road Ahead
With the playoffs on the horizon, OG Anunoby’s breakout couldn’t be more timely. His two-way versatility, elite efficiency, and recent offensive surge have cemented him as a cornerstone of New York’s postseason push. But if the Knicks hope to take down powerhouses like the Celtics or Cavs, Anunoby will need to maintain this level of play.
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