OG Anunoby’s Triumphant Return
After a challenging recovery period due to a hamstring injury, OG Anunoby made a triumphant return to the Knicks’ lineup on Friday night against the Utah Jazz. Having missed nine games since his injury on November 14, Anunoby stepped back onto the court just as he was beginning to showcase some of his most impressive performance stats to date. In the 23 minutes he played, he scored 11 points and contributed an assist, immediately proving his value beyond mere numbers.
Impact on the Game
From his first defensive possession, Anunoby made a significant impact, forcing Jazz forward Svi Mykhailiuk into a hurried pass, setting the tone for an incredible defensive effort from the Knicks. They started the game with a historic 23-0 run, marking the best such start in NBA history since detailed play-by-play records began in the 1997-98 season. The Knicks ultimately triumphed with a commanding score of 146-112.
Anunoby, reflecting on the game’s flow, remarked, “I didn’t really notice it. We were just playing. Someone told us later… I didn’t even notice they didn’t score; we were just getting stops and going. So, it felt pretty good just playing the way we try to play all the time.”
Reflections on Recovery
Feeling positive about his health post-game, Anunoby expressed how much he missed being on the court with his teammates and the fans, contrasting this with the challenging period of his recovery, which he described as “not fun.” During his time on the sidelines, Anunoby stayed engaged by supporting his teammates, reviewing game footage, and offering his insights about opposing teams. He stressed the importance of remaining involved in any way possible.
Coach’s Perspective
Knicks head coach Mike Brown noted his desire to give Anunoby more minutes than the 23 he played, but the score allowed for some bench players to get time on the court instead as the game progressed.
“It was tough because you always wonder… you get a big lead, you don’t want anybody to get hurt. But we needed to get OG some game minutes to work on his conditioning. He looked good for the time he was out there,” Brown explained, acknowledging that he would have preferred to extend Anunoby to around 25-26 minutes had circumstances permitted.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Anunoby anticipates that he will need only a couple of additional games to regain his full game readiness, especially as the Knicks prepare to take on the physical Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. This comeback not only signifies Anunoby’s return to form but also bolsters the Knicks’ prospects as the season progresses.
