When the Knicks traded for OG Anunoby earlier than the flip of the brand new yr, it’s exhausting to think about he’d have such an affect on the crew.
New York went 13-2 with him within the lineup en path to a 14-2 report in January — probably the most wins in a month since 1994 — however when the 26-year-old went down with an elbow damage, which required surgical procedure, the crew misplaced a little bit of the spacing and protection that Anunoby supplied.
And people features of his sport had been on full show Tuesday when the Knicks defeated the 76ers 106-79 in Madison Sq. Backyard.
“OG gave us an ideal carry for the primary time again from a layoff,” coach Tom Thibodeau mentioned after the win. “The power and the trouble performs, the motion, the taking pictures added loads to the crew.”
Anunoby scored 14 factors on 6-of-11 taking pictures (2-for-5 from three) whereas grabbing 4 rebounds, dishing two assists and including a steal to his stat line. He was additionally a plus-28 in his almost 29 minutes on the ground.
The Madison Sq. Backyard crowd gave Anunoby an ideal ovation when he was introduced and all through the sport. They knew the Knicks struggled with their ahead on the shelf — taking part in to a sub-.500 report since Jan. 27 — and the previous Raptors star felt the love.
“Felt nice. It has been some time,” Anunoby mentioned of the group’s response to his return. “Missed taking part in right here, missed the followers, missed my teammates. It was an ideal feeling for positive.”
When Anunoby was sidelined, surgical procedure was not essentially the primary alternative. Each he and the Knicks workers conferred over their choices, and all sides thought it will be greatest he have the surgical procedure after which return for the postseason run.
Anunoby is happy with the choice.
“[The elbow’s] loads higher than it was the month of January,” Anunoby mentioned. “I’m joyful. Ought to get higher and higher.”
The softspoken ahead mentioned that he’s nonetheless making an attempt to shake off some rust, each bodily and within the potential to learn the sport, however he’s assured that may return within the subsequent sport.
He is additionally assured that the chemistry of a crew, regardless of being out for six weeks, is not going to change with him in it. Anunoby was requested if he felt he wouldn’t be capable to “match” again in with the Knicks, and the ahead was direct and nonchalant along with his reply.
“I assumed I used to be going to come back in and make an affect,” he mentioned. “Didn’t actually give it some thought.”
The Knicks (38-27) at the moment are one sport forward of the Orlando Magic for the No. 4 seed within the Jap Convention. With a four-game West Coast street journey beginning Thursday, Anunoby’s return comes on the excellent time.
