Knicks Struggle as OG Anunoby Falls Short in Game 3
OG Anunoby didn’t quite align with the Knicks’ winning strategy.
In a game marked by passivity, he managed only two points on 1-for-6 shooting during the Celtics’ 115-93 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
Historically, the Knicks have gone 8-0 in playoff games where Anunoby attempts more than 14 shots. However, following Saturday’s loss, their record dips to 5-9 when he takes fewer than 14.
“He’s a great player, and you can’t contain him all the time,” Celtics coach Joe Matzula remarked. “He excels in half-court situations and is one of the best at navigating the lanes and transitioning. To effectively challenge teams like this, you need to allow for transition play without any live ball turnovers.”
His only bucket came from a dunk halfway through the third quarter, and he recorded a troubling minus-25 for the game.
Anunoby skipped media obligations after the game. The Knicks managed to pull through despite his muted performance, having only contributed five points on perfect shooting in Game 2.
The Knicks certainly needed contributions from all scorers in light of how the Celtics played. Yet, Anunoby remained largely unseen.
The last two games followed a strong Game 1 where he had an impressive 29 points, shooting 10-for-20 overall and going 11-for-11 from beyond the arc. This level of performance underlined his status as the franchise’s highest-paid player.
However, his total of seven points over the last two games just won’t cut it.
The Knicks are counting on a more aggressive Anunoby. Both Mazzulla and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau noted the Celtics’ minimal turnovers, which made it easier for Anunoby to navigate the game.
With the Celtics giving up only eight turnovers, the Knicks found themselves limited to just eight fast-break points.
“We couldn’t capitalize on opportunities. We didn’t transition to the open floor like we aimed to,” Thibodeau said regarding Anunoby’s performance. “When we do that, it tends to lead to easy buckets for everyone, and we can perform better.”
