DENVER — OG Anunoby had never scored more than 13 points in his NBA career, but his 27 points in Saturday's loss to the Jazz tied his most points in 39 regular-season games with the Knicks. Recorded.
Anunoby, who joined the Knicks in a trade from Toronto last January, made 7 of 12 3-pointers against the Jazz and added a season-high three steals and two blocked shots.
“All round” [game]” Tom Thibodeau said after the loss. “I want him to be decisive. When he plays like that, it's much more effective for all of us. When he makes a bold cut, when he makes a catch, and when he goes down and prepares. Get into a good rhythm by adjusting your balance and taking shots.
“And running the floor, when he runs the floor and gets into space or runs to the rim and catches little balls, those are easy buckets. I hope he continues to develop that. That's what I think.
Anunoby's career-high 36 points actually came in November 2021, when the Raptors played against the Knicks.
He is averaging 17.8 points in the team's 9-7 start — third-most on the team — and in 12 games in November entering Monday's game at Denver. He is averaging 20.0 points.
The Knicks' poor shooting on the night at Utah State was 39 percent from the floor, but they were even harder to take as they only committed nine turnovers in the game. This was one of the lowest all-game totals of the season.
“I thought we took care of the ball,” Thibodeau said. “On nights when you're not shooting well, you want to support yourself with defense, rebounding and low turnovers. And if you can do those three things, you're going to be in a position to win no matter how you shoot the ball. Masu.”
For the Knicks, Karl-Anthony Towns (left calf contusion) and Miles McBride (knee) are listed as questionable. Aaron Gordon (calf) transferred to the Nuggets.
