OG Anunoby’s Ankle Seems to be Just Fine

It looks like OG Anunoby’s troublesome ankle is holding up well. The Knicks’ star wing injured it in the second-to-last game of the regular season, which, of course, meant he missed the final game. But as the playoffs kicked off, Anunoby’s performance picked right back up.

In classic Anunoby fashion, he made significant contributions on both ends of the court, helping the Knicks secure a 113-102 victory against the Hawks at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 of their playoff series.

He finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, which were crucial for shutting down the Hawks after halftime. The Knicks surged in the second half, transforming a competitive game into a more comfortable win.

In fact, the Hawks could only manage 47 points in the final two quarters and trailed by a solid nine points.

Anunoby had a strong season in his second year with the Knicks, averaging 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, shooting about 38.6 percent from beyond the arc. He played in 67 games, so staying healthy is vital now that the playoffs are underway.

This is, without a doubt, a critical time for the Knicks. If they hope to return to the Eastern Conference Finals, keeping Anunoby in good shape is key. He’s one of their top all-around players and plays an essential role in their defensive strategy. During the regular season, the Knicks had a record of 45-22 with him on the floor.

In Saturday’s game, Anunoby was particularly efficient, sinking 6 of 9 field goals and hitting two 3-pointers, while displaying his signature lockdown defense.

His impact was palpable, as the Knicks outscored the Hawks by nine during his time on the court. The only player with a better plus-minus rating was Miles McBride, who was plus-12 in 21 minutes.

This opening game was a solid start for the Knicks. Even though there was a bit of a hiccup late in the fourth quarter, the team still managed to perform well against the Hawks. Anunoby teamed up effectively with Jalen Brunson on the scoring front and was instrumental as a defensive anchor.

During the game, the Hawks were initially hitting 9 of their first 18 three-point attempts, but they eventually cooled off, finishing at 14 of 37. Anunoby played a significant role in that decline.