One week shy of the anniversary of the transformative trade that brought OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa to New York at the end of 2024, the Knicks easily handled a sinking Raptors team with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. .
A near-perfect Anunoby and on-form Knicks earned their ninth win in their last 11 games heading into a Christmas matinee against Victor Wembaneyama and the improved Spurs, pulling away in the second quarter after a slow start Monday night and defeating Toronto. won 139-125. In the garden.
Anunoby made his first 11 shots and finished with a plus-25 rating against his former team, scoring 31 points with a frenetic shooting performance of 13-of-15.
Karl-Anthony Towns also had a good game overall, scoring 31 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists before fouling out, finishing with 12 points (4-of-13) and seven assists. It made up for Jalen Brunson's quiet scoring night.
Veteran guard Landry Shamet played only the final 1 minute and 20 seconds in his Knicks debut late in the game after rehabbing a preseason shoulder injury, and the expected Bench made his first 3-pointer of the season. I decided.
But reserve guard Cam Payne scored 11 of his season-high 19 points in a hard-fought second quarter (19-10) for the Knicks at 40-24.
RJ Barrett, who was traded from the Knicks to his hometown team along with the currently injured Immanuel Quickley (elbow) in exchange for Anunoby on December 30 of last year, scored 23 points and Scottie Barnes scored 24 points. He played an active role for the struggling Raptors (7 wins, 23 losses). ) has lost eight games in a row.
Anunoby, who had taped on his surgically repaired left elbow for Saturday's game, threw down a variety of dunks and 3-pointers after entering the game sluggishly shooting 17-of-50 over the past four games. He completed 4 out of 6 shots. Win in New Orleans.
“It's a very normal thing for players to go through during the season,” Tom Thibodeau said of Anunoby. “If you play, you're going to get hit. There's a lot going on, but he's playing really well.
“The problem is, the ball is going to go in different places, and sometimes it won't go in. Just keep doing everything he's doing, playing defense. Then he'll be really high even if the ball goes in. I can play at my level.'' When the shot doesn't go well. We know he's one of the best shooters in the league. So, after all, it will be there. ”
Brunson missed four shots from the floor and two from the free throw line in the first quarter, resulting in a scoreless game.
But Miles McBride (12 points) came off the bench and made two 3-pointers in the first minute, and Payne sank another from deep to give the Knicks a 30-28 lead. The first quarter is over.
Barrett's inside bucket put the Raptors ahead early in the second, but Payne made two more treys and a traditional 3-point play during a 15-2 run that gave the Knicks 11 points. obtained.
Towns also hit an and-one, and Anunoby sank a dunk in a spurt.
Payne made his fourth 3-pointer of the first half and Josh Hart went up and down for a reverse layup to extend the advantage to 14.
The Knicks led by as many as 21 points, led 70-52 at intermission and won by 16 points in the quarter despite Brunson scoring just three points on three late free throws.
A long outlet pass from Towns to Anunoby for a dunk and two OG jumpers pushed the Knicks' advantage to 31 points, and the Knicks' advantage was up 111-82 late in the third quarter heading into the final quarter. did.
