OG Anunoby Is the Knicks’ Quiet Catalyst - and Their Best Shot at a Title
Jalen Brunson may be the heartbeat of the Knicks - the guy who gets the MVP chants and fills up the highlight reels - but if you’re looking for the piece that could truly elevate New York from playoff mainstay to championship threat, look to the corner. That’s where OG Anunoby often waits, quiet as ever, ready to change the game without saying a word.
Anunoby, now in the second year of a five-year, $212.5 million deal, isn’t the type to chase headlines. But on the floor?
He’s the Knicks’ ultimate swing factor. His two-way versatility is the kind of tool every contender dreams of - a defensive stopper who can also knock down shots at an elite clip.
And while availability has been a concern - he’s already missed time this season with a hamstring issue - the numbers tell the story when he is on the court.
The Knicks are 77-36 when Anunoby suits up. That’s a .681 winning percentage - the kind of pace that translates to 55 wins over a full season.
And he’s doing it without dominating the ball or demanding touches. He just quietly takes away the opponent’s best offensive weapon, then buries open threes with a surgeon’s precision.
Fewer Minutes, Sharper Impact
This season, the Knicks have made it clear: they’re playing the long game with Anunoby. After logging a career-high 36.6 minutes per game last year, his workload has been trimmed to a more sustainable 31.3 minutes a night.
It’s a strategic move - keep him fresh for when it matters most in April and May. And so far, it’s working.
Despite the lighter minutes, Anunoby’s efficiency has jumped. He’s shooting 48.7% from the field and a scorching 40.8% from beyond the arc.
He’s averaging 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and two assists per game - but more importantly, he’s making every possession count. The defensive volatility that crept into his game last season is gone.
In its place? Steady, suffocating pressure.
He’s averaging nearly two steals per game, turning defense into offense and fueling the Knicks’ transition game - a key part of their identity.
A Statement Performance on the Big Stage
If you want a snapshot of Anunoby at his best, rewind to the Knicks’ NBA Cup semifinal matchup against the Orlando Magic. With the lights bright and the stakes high, Anunoby delivered a performance that was impossible to ignore - even if he still barely said a word.
He dropped 24 points, grabbed three steals, and added a block, completely disrupting Orlando’s rhythm. Outside of Brunson, he was the best player on the floor.
It was the kind of game that doesn’t just swing a result - it sends a message. Anunoby can be the reason the Knicks win big games.
What’s been especially impressive is how smoothly he’s fit into Mike Brown’s system. He’s not forcing shots or hunting stats.
He’s finding his spots, playing within the flow, and letting the game come to him. That’s a rare skill, especially for someone who can impact both ends of the floor the way he does.
And it’s paying off - not just for him, but for Brunson, too. With Anunoby spacing the floor and punishing defenders who cheat off him, Brunson gets more room to operate.
The chemistry is growing, and so is the confidence.
The Knicks’ X-Factor
Let’s be clear: the Knicks will go as far as Jalen Brunson can carry them. But if they’re going to win it all? That’s where OG Anunoby comes in.
His ability to shoot 40% from deep, lock down elite scorers, and do it all without needing the spotlight - that’s the kind of player who raises a team’s ceiling. That’s the kind of player who wins playoff series. That’s the kind of player who earns every cent of a $212.5 million contract.
As the season wears on, the mission is simple: keep Anunoby healthy, keep him in rhythm, and let him do what he does best. Because when OG is on the floor, the Knicks aren’t just good - they’re dangerous. And come playoff time, that could make all the difference.