Key Takeaways
- OG Anunoby delivered a standout two‑way effort in Game 3, scoring 28 points with five rebounds while defending multiple positions.
- The Knicks’ loss snapped a 13‑game playoff winning streak, but Anunoby’s play showed a viable path to counteract San Antonio’s defensive schemes.
- Anunoby himself noted the team lacked its usual connectivity and transition defense, areas that need improvement heading into Game 4.
- Rather than forcing Anunoby into a primary‑scorer role, the Knicks should give him earlier, varied touches—corner shots, slip screens, and off‑ball movement—to make the Spurs pay for helping off him.
- Defensively, Anunoby emphasizes tightening help on drives to limit paint opportunities for Victor Wembanyama and reduce foul trouble.
- A sharper, not panicked, adjustment—leveraging Anunoby’s shooting, versatility, and defensive awareness—could help New York regain control of the series.
The New York Knicks dropped Game 3 of their playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, 115‑111, ending a 13‑game postseason winning streak. While the loss was a setback, one bright spot emerged from the Knicks’ roster: OG Anunoby. The forward finished with 28 points, five rebounds, and a palpable two‑way impact that kept New York competitive despite the Spurs’ growing confidence. Anunoby’s stat line was notable not just for the scoring volume but for the variety of ways he produced it—spot‑up three‑pointers, attacks off the dribble, and relentless defensive effort across multiple positions.
Anunoby’s performance mattered because it demonstrated a player who can operate effectively without the offense being forced into a “one‑man show” centered on Jalen Brunson. The Spurs have made the series feel longer and more awkward by draping Victor Wembanyama over virtually every action, making it difficult for the Knicks to find clean looks. Anunoby, however, showed he can attack that presence, create his own shots, and still contribute defensively, giving New York a wing capable of playing through contact without needing the entire offensive scheme to revolve around him.
In his post‑game remarks, Anunoby was candid about the Knicks’ shortcomings. He said the team “weren’t as connected as we normally are” and admitted that their transition defense fell short of the standard needed to contend. Those lapses allowed San Antonio to generate easy looks in the paint and forced New York into reactive, often fouling, situations. Anunoby’s self‑assessment points to two clear areas for improvement: better ball movement and communication on the offensive end, and a more disciplined, coordinated effort to stop opponents from penetrating the lane.
Looking ahead to Game 4, the analysis suggests the Knicks do not need a radical overhaul but a sharper, more deliberate tweak that leverages Anunoby’s existing strengths. Rather than turning him into the primary scoring option—a role that would distort his natural game—the team should aim to get him involved earlier and in diverse spots. Positioning him in the corners for catch‑and‑shoot opportunities, using him as a screener to create slip‑and‑pop actions, and letting him drift into space when the Spurs overload the paint are all viable tactics. If San Antonio chooses to stay home on Anunoby, Brunson and Karl‑Anthony Towns gain more room to operate; if they rotate to help, Anunoby has repeatedly shown he can punish that help with a quick shot or a drive that forces a collapse.
Defensively, Anunoby’s insights are equally valuable. He highlighted that the Spurs got too many paint touches, which often turned into kick‑out threes, fouls, or easy put‑backs for Wembanyama. A tighter help scheme—anchored by Anunoby’s ability to switch onto multiple players and contest drives without over‑committing—could reduce those opportunities. By forcing the Spurs to rely on perimeter shooting rather than easy interior looks, the Knicks can tilt the game back in their favor.
Ultimately, the Knicks do not need to panic; they need to execute a more precise game plan that builds on what Anunoby already showed. If they can integrate his shooting, versatility, and defensive tenacity earlier and more consistently, New York has a realistic chance to regain control of the series. Should Game 4 become another grind, Anunoby’s balanced contribution could very well be the difference between the Knicks reclaiming momentum and the series heading back to San Antonio tied.