NBA
OG Anunoby helped remodel the Knicks into one of many high defensive groups within the NBA in January, and a 3rd straight stifling team-wide efficiency in his return to the lineup following an 18-game absence helped Tom Thibodeau’s squad safe a much-needed bounce-back victory.
With Anunoby beginning for the primary time since taking place in late January with an elbow harm that required cleanup surgical procedure, the Knicks avenged their ugly loss to the 76ers two nights earlier by crushing the identical divisional rival, 106-79, Tuesday evening to late chants of “Philly sucks” on the Backyard.
Anunoby netted 14 factors and was a plus-28 over 29 minutes in his first look since Jan. 27, because the Knicks (38-27 total) improved to 13-2 with him within the lineup this season following a late-December acquisition from the Raptors.
“Every part felt good. Excited to be again on the market. It was enjoyable,” mentioned Anunoby, who acquired standing ovations throughout pregame warm-ups and once more when he checked out of the sport for the ultimate time within the fourth quarter. “It felt nice. It’s been some time. Missed taking part in right here, missed the followers, missed my teammates. So it was an ideal feeling for certain.”
Anunoby changed Treasured Achiuwa within the beginning lineup, and backup heart Jericho Sims was dropped for now from the rotation.
Josh Hart remained within the beginning 5 and recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 20 factors, a career-high tying 19 rebounds and 10 assists in 39 minutes.
Jalen Brunson scored 20 factors with 9 assists and Achiuwa contributed 13 factors off the bench for the Knicks, who had dropped 10 of the 18 video games they performed with out Anunoby.
Defensively, it marked the primary time the Knicks have held three-straight opponents beneath 80 factors since 2000.
“I believed OG gave us an ideal elevate for the primary time again after a layoff,” Thibodeau mentioned. “The power and simply the trouble performs and the motion, the taking pictures, added rather a lot to the crew.
“And I believed Josh Hart was unbelievable, simply his protection, his rebounding, his scoring, his playmaking, every little thing, simply all-around play.”
With All-Star energy ahead Julius Randle (shoulder) and heart Mitchell Robinson (ankle) nonetheless sidelined for the Knicks, Anunoby grew to become the primary of the crew’s beginning frontline to make it again after he’d been cleared to renew training absolutely final week.
“He’s again, our savior is again,” Hart joked about Anunoby earlier than the sport. “[He’s] somebody who areas the courtroom along with his taking pictures, and clearly defensively he’s a juggernaut.
“Somebody who positively goes to assist us on each side of the ball.”
Coming off what Hart and Brunson had described as a “s–t” efficiency in committing 21 turnovers and scoring an NBA season-low 73 factors in Sunday’s residence loss to the Sixers, the Knicks raced to a 17-7 lead practically halfway by means of Tuesday’s first quarter.
Anunoby sank his first two photographs, a midrange jumper alongside the baseline within the opening minute and his preliminary 3-point try shortly thereafter. Each starter was no less than plus-10 within the first quarter because the Knicks held the Sixers to 6 subject targets on 18 makes an attempt in constructing a stingy 26-14 benefit by means of one.
After Kelly Oubre and Buddy Hield mixed for all the factors in an 8-0 Philly run within the second to shut inside seven, Brunson discovered Anunoby for a fast-break dunk that enlivened the house crowd.
Donte DiVincenzo (16 factors) adopted along with his second trey, and Brunson buried two extra from lengthy distance to push the lead again to 13 en path to a 59-41 sport at intermission.
Two further dunks by Anunoby and one by Isaiah Hartenstein keyed a game-breaking 22-4 run en path to a commanding 87-61 lead getting into the ultimate interval.
“I feel we performed to our strengths. We performed sooner, we took care of the ball and we rebounded the ball,” Hart mentioned. “OG was nice on the market. “Knocked down photographs. Large defensive stops. That’s his sport. It’s nice to have him on the market. He helps this crew go.”
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