Back on Track

"Great to have a game like that. I think it starts with the defense. We outrebounded them. We played Knicks basketball…" - Josh Hart.

Final Score: Knicks 111 - Sixers 99 
Record: 5-5

The Knicks' final (and most important/impressive) road win last season came in Game 6 of their first-round playoff victory over the Sixers. 

The Knicks' best road win thus far this season came last night in the same arena. New York's victory over Philadelphia inside a boisterous Wells Fargo Center in Joel Embiid's debut was buoyantly reminiscent of many of NY's most encouraging victories in 2023-24, when the club exhibited an abundance of heart, guts, defense and clutch shot-making.

And like so many wins last season, Tuesday's was a genuine team effort. All five Knicks starters scored at least 14 points, with Deuce McBride proving a spark on both ends off the bench. It's difficult to single out one player, but we must start with OG Anunoby. 

Some folks argued OG got overpaid when he inked a massive $212 million deal this summer. However, he's been worth every penny early in his first full season with New York. 

Anunoby poured in a team-high 24 points (on 11-of-16 shooting) to go along with six rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers vs. the Sixers. He attacked the basket relentlessly and ended the night with six dunks. And although Paul George got hot and kept the Sixers in the contest, many of PG's makes were extremely difficult, with OG draped all over him. 

It could be argued that OG has been the team's most impactful, consistent two-way player this season. Unsurprisingly, he leads the team in plus/minus at +63. (Incredibly, OG already ranks inside the top-10 all-time in Knicks franchise history in plus/minus despite appearing in just 33 regular season contests!)

Over the Knicks' last six games, Anunoby is averaging 20 points, 5.3 boards, 1.7 steals, and 2.8 made three-pointers while shooting 52% from the floor, 49% from downtown and 88% from the FT line. Those are outstanding all-around numbers for a player whose overall impact usually isn't fully captured in the box score. 

Per Basketball Reference, it's the first time in his career OG has averaged 20+ points while shooting above 50% from the floor over a six-game stretch.