OG Anunoby continued the best offensive stretch of his career and silenced any questions about his offensive role going forward as the New York Knicks took care of the Phoenix Suns handily, 112-98.
April 6: Final
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The victory marked New York’s 50th of the 2024-25 season and the first time they’ve accomplished that feat in consecutive seasons since 1995.
OG, oh my
Anunoby finished the game as New York’s leading scorer, pouring in an ultra-efficient 32 points (13-17 FG, 6-8 3PT) to go along with five rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes.
He shot a perfect 7-7 from the floor in the third quarter, including 5-5 from beyond the arc and one very warranted “BANG!” from Mike Breen.
The exclamation point on both OG’s individual performance and the Knicks’ triumph came, accordingly, at the end.
Anunoby threw down a 360 dunk with less than a minute remaining to prove that he has, in fact, been moving differently.
Traditionally known more for his defense, Anunoby’s performance despite Brunson’s return might lead one to believe that he had entered the long-fabled, omni-sport state of consciousness known simply as “The Zone.” Not him, though.
“I think I can always do that,” Anunoby said, per SNY’s Knicks Videos on X. “I don’t think I’m in the zone, I think I’m always capable.”
Return of the cap
Making his return to the court exactly one month to the day of the ankle injury that sidelined him, Jalen Brunson looked like somebody who needed to get some extra reps in ahead of the postseason. He finished the night with 15 points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3PT, 8-10 FT) and 6 assists in 34 minutes.
In no need of a tune-up following a month-long absence from play was Brunson’s clutch gene. His only three-pointer in the game put New York back up 10 points with just under two minutes to go.
Regardless of the late-game heroics, the Knicks’ captain understandably didn’t find his return up to snuff.
“Could be better, could be worse,” Brunson said.
“A lot of room for improvement on my end, obviously, but I’m surprised at the conditioning part. I thought that would be a lot worse, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
Other Knick notables
Karl-Anthony Towns picked up his 56th double-double of the season, putting up 19 points (7-13 FG, 0-3 3PT, 5-6 FT) and 13 rebounds while tacking on an assist, block, and steal in 36 minutes.
Mikal Bridges’ uptick in offensive production also carried into Brunson’s return. The other half of New York’s “WingStop” duo put up 22 points (8-14 FG, 2-3 3PT, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, four assists, and a block in 39 minutes.
The Suns’ side of things
Devin Booker was the only bright spot for Phoenix on offense. What year is it, again? The Suns’ all-time leading scorer tallied 40 points (16-29 FG, 2-7 3PT, 6-7 FT) in 40 minutes and was the only reason this game didn’t end in a total trouncing. He added four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
Proud no-trade clause owner Bradley Beal finished as the Suns’ second-leading scorer for the game. He put up 16 points (8-19 FG, 0-5 3PT, 0-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, four steals, and two blocks.
Kevin Durant did not play due to an ankle injury. The last time he played in Madison Square Garden was in 2022.
Next for New York
The Knicks will face off against the Boston Celtics in MSG on April 7 for the final matchup of the regular season between the two teams.
A win would clinch New York the third seed in the Eastern Conference heading into the playoffs, while also proving they’re capable of beating one of the NBA’s top teams and a likely postseason matchup, should the Knicks survive the first round.
