The trade buzz around Guerschon Yabusele isn’t going away anytime soon, and the veteran big man isn’t exactly hiding his frustration. After carving out a solid rotational role with the Sixers last season, Yabusele came into this year expecting more from his time with the Knicks. So far, that expectation hasn’t matched reality.
“It’s definitely not what I was expecting,” Yabusele admitted before Saturday’s win in Philadelphia. “I thought it would be a little more different.”
Different, indeed. Yabusele has found himself on the outside looking in for much of the season, averaging just 9.2 minutes across 38 games. On Saturday, he logged just three minutes against his former team and didn’t register a point.
While he’s keeping things professional in front of the media, it’s clear Yabusele may be ready for a change. He recently reposted a tweet that advocated for a trade and a fresh start for “the captain” of the French national team.
That’s not exactly cryptic. Still, Yabusele is trying to stay focused on what he can control.
“It’s nothing that I can control,” he said. “Just try to be smart, preparing, be as ready as I can. To go out there when my name is called and to give everything on the court.”
Knicks Adjusting on the Fly
Meanwhile, the Knicks are trying to find their rhythm under head coach Mike Brown, who’s made some recent tweaks to the offense to better incorporate Karl-Anthony Towns. But not everyone thinks that’s where the focus should be.
Josh Hart, never one to sugarcoat things, made it clear he’d rather see Towns locked in on the defensive end.
“It’s a little different [playing under Brown compared to Tom Thibodeau], but we are basketball players. We have to be able to adapt to different situations,” Hart said.
“I think coaches have to adapt, and their players have to adapt to their coach. I think there’s a good middle ground and sometimes we’re still trying to figure that out.
At the end of the day, [Towns is] a good offensive player and he’s going to figure that out. He’s gotta make sure he focuses on defense.
I don’t wanna hear too much about him shooting. I want to hear about him blocking shots.”
Towns, dealing with back spasms, was a game-time decision against Philly and clearly wasn’t at full strength. He played just 16 minutes and fouled out with over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
With Towns limited, Mitchell Robinson stepped up in a big way. The backup center brought energy and presence to the paint, finishing with six points, 10 rebounds (including six offensive boards), two steals, and two blocks. He also posted a +14 in 27 minutes-an impact that went well beyond the box score.
“We locked in defensively,” Robinson said after the win. “We came back into halftime to see what we were lacking, especially myself.
Defensively in the first half, I ain’t do too great. But definitely in the second half came with more energy.”
Robinson’s performance is especially notable given his contract situation. He’s on an expiring $13 million deal and could hit free agency this summer if an extension isn’t reached. If he keeps playing like this, he’s going to make that decision a lot harder for the Knicks’ front office.
Anunoby Closes the Door
Despite leading by as many as 17 in the fourth quarter, the Knicks had to survive a furious comeback attempt from the Sixers. The final two minutes were a chaotic scramble, with both teams missing chances to take control. But when it mattered most, OG Anunoby delivered.
Anunoby scored five clutch points and assisted on a Landry Shamet three in the closing stretch, helping the Knicks secure their second straight win. His impact, though, went far beyond the stat sheet.
“OG changed the game defensively,” Brown said. “And his quick decisions with the basketball. It was beautiful to watch.”
Anunoby’s ability to disrupt on defense and make smart, timely plays on offense continues to be a difference-maker for this team. In a game that could’ve easily slipped away, his poise helped seal it.
As the Knicks continue to navigate lineup changes, trade chatter, and health concerns, performances like Robinson’s hustle and Anunoby’s late-game composure are exactly what they’ll need to keep stacking wins.