Getty
OG Anunoby #8 talks with Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Madison Square Garden.
THE New York Knicks welcome back their defensive ace, OG Anunoby, to their lineup in a crucial rematch Tuesday against the Philadelphia 76ersaccording to Ian Begley of SNY.
« SNY Sources: OG Anunoby will return for the Knicks tonight against the Sixers. He has been absent since January 27 with [an] elbow injury and subsequent surgery. The Knicks’ winning percentage plummeted in Anunoby’s absence; the club went 14-2 with him in [the] programming in January”, Begley reported onformerly Twitter, on March 12, a few hours before the match.
Anunoby has missed 18 straight games since Jan. 29, when his elbow inflamed in Charlotte. The Knicks went 8-10 without him.
Anunoby’s return will bring Josh Hart back to the bench and provide the Knicks with the perimeter and point-of-attack defender they have sorely missed in his absence.
But it remains to be seen whether Anunoby will be subject to a minute’s restriction upon his return and whether his impact will remain the same.
Anunoby instantly became the anchor of the Knicks’ defense when he joined them in January via a mid-season trade from Toronto. His arrival transformed the Knicks’ ultimate defense in December (123.1 defensive rating) among the best in the league in January (Defensive rating of 104.4).
During their 14-2 run in January, Anunoby’s plus-minus (plus-252) was the highest for any NBA player in his first 14 games with a new team since the play-by-play was first tracked in 1996-1997. according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.
Anunoby averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 51.6% from the field. His seamless fit has been supported by his 40.4% shooting in catch-and-shoot 3s. He is particularly adept in the right corner, with a staggering 48% success rate, almost 9% above of the league average (39.2%). by Statmuse.
Kelly Oubre sent a warning to the Knicks
After holding the Knicks to a season-low 73 points, the 76ers wing Kelly Oubre Jr. sent a warning.
“[Tuesday night will] be more physical,” Oubre warned, by New York Daily News. “Faster pace, obviously higher scores. We just gotta do what we did [Sunday night]but better.”
The 76ers will also have their All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey back after missing the last four games. Maxey has already approved concussion protocols, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Maxey is averaging 26.0 points, 6.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds, giving Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau another headache. But Anunoby’s return may lessen Maxey’s impact.
Anunoby will have this superior defensive mission.
Jalen Brunson draws NBA endorsement
After Dan Favale of Bleacher Reports76ers’ Kyle Lowry was next to support Knicks Star Jalen Brunson to one of three All-NBA teams for end-of-season awards.
Philadelphia’s defense gave credence to Lowry’s support.
“Send him bodies. Show him bodies. He still has a few. He still made some shots, and he’s an All-NBA guy, an All-Star, a guy who’s going to be a dominant presence in this league for a long time. Lowry told reporters.
“That’s a tough team over there,” Lowry said. “They have an All-NBA superstar who is going to try to win the game and can win any game for them. And we just tried to limit it as much as possible, which is hard to do. We stuck to our game plan, stayed in our zone and made big shots down the stretch. And Kelly Oubre Jr. played hard.
Their constant double teams held Brunson to 19 points on 6 of 22 shooting.
Anunoby’s catch-and-shoot threat will have the 76ers doubting their rematch.
Alder Almo is a basketball reporter who covers the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors for Heavy. He has over 15 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is originally from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. Learn more about Alder Almo
