SAN ANTONIO — OG Anunoby: The Sole Champion on the Knicks
In a surprising twist, OG Anunoby stands out as the only player on the Knicks with a championship ring.
The team, after all, is just three wins away from securing another title.
Though sidelined by injury during the Raptors’ 2019 championship run, Anunoby didn’t make a significant mark for much of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Yet, he found his rhythm—12 of his 17 points came in a crucial fourth quarter, helping the Knicks clinch a 105-95 win over the Spurs at Frostbank Center on Wednesday night.
“The first time in the NBA Finals was cool, but not quite what I wanted,” Anunoby reflected. “This time, I’m really just grateful to be here and, you know, healthy.”
“I’m just enjoying every minute I get to play,” he added.
Even after missing two games due to a hamstring injury, Anunoby proved to be one of the main reasons for the Knicks’ remarkable playoff success, ranking second on the team in points (19.7), third in rebounds (6.9), and second in both steals (1.6) and blocks (1.0).
However, during the championship series’ first half, Anunoby’s presence was less felt, managing only five points (2 of 6 from the floor). He came into the second half trying to regain momentum but faced challenges, including an air ball right in front of Victor Wembanyama, leaving him scoreless for the third quarter.
Despite trailing by 14 points in the second half—a precarious position given the Spurs’ strong postseason record when leading at halftime—Anunoby played a pivotal role. He drove to the basket, giving the Knicks a three-point lead, followed by consecutive three-pointers to push the score to 86-81 with 8:50 remaining.
“My teammates found me, and I was aggressive and ready to shoot,” Anunoby explained, also contributing three rebounds, a steal, and a block in 31 minutes. “You just have to shoot with confidence.”
As the final minute approached, he sealed the game with four free throws, aiding the Knicks in wrapping up an 11–0 run to secure Game 1. This win gives the Knicks the series lead in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1994, matching the Spurs’ second-longest postseason winning streak in NBA history at 12.
“OG really stepped up in the second half,” Knicks coach Mike Brown stated. “He was instrumental for us.”
