OG Anunoby: The Knicks' Quiet Force Finally Gets His Due in New York

Key facts

• Anunoby averaged 21.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game in the first-round playoff series against the Hawks.
• He finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, likely earning a second-team All-Defensive selection at best.
• Anunoby's net rating was the best of any Knick who played more than half the season.
• The Knicks defeated the Hawks in six games, capping the series with a 140-89 blowout in Game 6.
• Anunoby signed the largest contract in Knicks history.
• Tom Crean, his college coach at Indiana, said Anunoby is 'almost taken for granted' nationally.
• Mikal Bridges praised Anunoby for 'doing everything' after Game 6.

An Unheralded Star in the Playoff Spotlight

OG Anunoby has long been the kind of player whose impact is felt far more than it is celebrated. In the New York Knicks' first-round playoff victory over the Atlanta Hawks, he was undeniable: averaging 21.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, he was the team's most consistent two-way force. Yet on the national stage, recognition remains elusive. Anunoby finished 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting, a placement that all but guarantees he will not be a first-team All-Defensive selection. At best, he may earn a second-team nod—only the second of his career. The gap between his on-court value and his external acclaim has become a defining subplot of his career.

The Numbers That Tell the Story

The Knicks posted the NBA's seventh-best defensive rating this season, and Anunoby was unquestionably its best defender. His net rating was the best of any Knick who played more than half the season, a statistical testament to his influence on both ends. In the playoffs, that impact only grew. In Game 6, a historic 140-89 blowout that sealed the series, Anunoby scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and grabbed eight defensive rebounds. Over the series, he was a factor on every spot on the floor—scoring, rebounding, defending, and making plays. Mikal Bridges, his teammate, summed it up: 'He's doing everything out there and that's who we need.'

The Voice of a Former Coach

Tom Crean, who coached Anunoby at Indiana University, has watched the disconnect with frustration. 'That's really always irritated me at a high level is the national attention he was getting for being such a good two-way player and being a legit first-team all-defense guy,' Crean said. 'That's what bothered me. Because that's what he does.' Crean added that Anunoby is 'almost taken for granted' on a national level. In New York, the reception is different. Fans serenade him with 'OG, OG' chants. The Knicks' public address announcer, Mike Walczewski, gives extra emphasis when introducing him. And his bank account reflects the team's commitment: he signed the largest contract in franchise history.

A Two-Way Player Who Defies Categorization

Anunoby's game is built on versatility. He plays with pace, scores efficiently, and is a relentless defender. But it is the intangible elements—the scrappy plays, the pestering on defense, the little things that build winning—that set him apart. In the playoffs, where every facet is tested, that varied skillset becomes indispensable. The Knicks are led by marquee stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but Anunoby is the leader of a supporting cast that has been crucial to the team's success. When he plays well, he sets the tone. Even when the team drags, he has the ability to elevate them and spur late-game surges.

What Lies Ahead for the Knicks and Anunoby

The Knicks now advance to the second round, where they will face the winner of the Philadelphia 76ers-Boston Celtics series. By all accounts, they have a clear path through the Eastern Conference, but maintaining full strength will be critical. Anunoby's continued production is essential. Bridges said the Knicks need Anunoby to 'keep being his usual self.' If the first round is any indication, that means a player who does everything—and one who, in New York at least, is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

The bottom line

• Anunoby averaged 21.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in the first round, leading the Knicks past the Hawks.
• He finished 10th in DPOY voting, likely earning only a second-team All-Defensive nod despite being the Knicks' best defender.
• His net rating was the best on the team among players with significant minutes.
• Tom Crean, his college coach, said Anunoby is 'almost taken for granted' nationally.
• In New York, he is celebrated with chants, a historic contract, and a prominent role on a contending team.
• The Knicks will rely on Anunoby's two-way versatility as they face tougher competition in the second round.