From the franchise record-tying 45 assists to the 19 3-point makes, the New York Knicks could’ve scanned almost any part of the scoreboard to confirm just how offensively connected they were during November 25, 2024’s 27-point win. If OG Anunoby had any say in the matter, though, the full story wouldn’t be accurately told until such excellence also applied to the floor’s less glamorous side. No. 1 in contested shots among all perimeter talents before meeting the Denver Nuggets, Anunoby conducts a help defense clinic, helping his All-Star teammate offset Nikola Jokić’s inside-the-arc repertoire with a well-timed block. Unfinished, the do-it-all swingman summons the energy to conquer a loose ball battle and then a one-on-one fastbreak clash against Christian Braun, barreling through the middle for a soft-touch scoop finish. The sequence added another footnote to Anunoby’s noticeably-heightened approach against Denver, who’ve absorbed Anunoby’s highest scoring average (17.3) outside of his former team. In a déjà vu-like manner from a season ago, Anunoby’s eruption encouraged a career-best 40 points (on 16-of-23 shooting), five rebounds, four assists, one block, five 3-pointers, and a +21 plus-minus. · Nov 26, 2024