The Knicks’ starting lineup is finally showcasing its full potential. OG Anunoby made his return to the court on Friday against the Jazz, marking his first game since suffering a hamstring injury on November 14. He missed nine games during what was shaping up to be the best stretch of his career.
Anunoby picked up right where he left off, scoring 11 points and providing one assist over 23 minutes of play. His influence extends well beyond the scoreboard. On the Knicks’ opening defensive possession, Anunoby pressured a Jazz forward into making a poor pass. This was just one of many defensive stops that helped the Knicks dominate with a 146-112 victory, propelling them to a historic 23-0 start, the best recorded in NBA history since play-by-play tracking began in 1997-98.
“I didn’t even notice it at all. I was just playing,” Anunoby said. “Someone told me later that they weren’t scoring. We were just stopping and going. It felt good to just play the way we always try to play.”
He also felt strong physically after the game and expressed how much he missed playing with his teammates and the fans during his absence. Although his recovery was tough and frustrating, Anunoby remained committed to supporting his team in any way, whether by encouraging teammates or analyzing game footage to help improve their play.
His 23 minutes on the court were impressive, though head coach Mike Brown wanted to give him more time but had to manage the large lead by resting most starters. Brown did give Anunoby some minutes playing with the reserves to work on his conditioning.
“It was tough because you want to avoid injuries with a big lead, but we needed to get OG some game time to improve his conditioning,” Brown noted. “He looked good for the minutes he played. I would have liked 25-26 minutes, but 22-23 was fine given the situation.”
Anunoby said he needs a few more games to regain full game shape and anticipates needing conditioning for the upcoming physical matchup against the Magic at home on Sunday.
Fan Take: Anunoby’s return is a huge boost for the Knicks, adding both skill and grit to their lineup just as they chase an unprecedented start to the season. Basketball fans should watch closely, as his impact on both ends of the floor could elevate the sport by highlighting the importance of resilience and teamwork.
