Off To a Good Start Out West

The Knicks have outscored their opponents by 291 points in the 16 games OG has played for New York, which is the second-high +/- mark by any NBA player over a 16-game span, second only to Steph Curry.

Final Score: Knicks 105 - Blazers 93
Record: 39-27

Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks coaching staff had slowly eased Jalen Brunson back into action since his return from a minor knee injury last week. In New York's previous three games before Thursday, Brunson logged less than 30 minutes a night and averaged a relatively modest 21.7 PPG. Thanks to their dominant defense and the return of OG Anunoby, the 'Bockers didn't need to lean too heavily on their point guard. 

However, on the first game of their final West Coast road trip this season, NY needed their stud PG to put the team on his back. 

Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby, with 12 points apiece, were the Knicks' second-leading scorers Thursday vs. Portland. No other Knicks reached double figures. 

As for Brunson, he poured in 45 points to go along with four assists, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes. JB shot 14-of-30 from the field and 15-of-17 from the foul line. 

It was a true masterclass in fundamentals by Brunson, who pummeled Portland in the midrange and repeatedly earned his way to the charity stripe. Despite missing eight of his ten three-point attempts, Brunson drove by defenders and used his elite footwork and pump fakes to get good looks. 

"What can you say? It's unbelievable just to watch it, and you know he ended up with 17 free throws, and I thought there could be a lot more," Thibodeau said. "He's just clever, he's shifty, and he does everything."

It's the sixth time Brunson reached the 40-point plateau this year. Only four players in Knicks franchise history have had 40 Burgers in a single season: 
Bernard King: 13 in 1984-85
Patrick Ewing: 11 in 1989-90
Carmelo Anthony: 8 in 2012-13
Bernard King: 8 in 1983-84
Richie Guerin: 7 in 1961-62

What's remarkable is that, at this point, none of us are surprised when Brunson erupts for monster nights. It's a testament to his greatness. As Kazeem Famuyide tweeted last night, JB is "at the 'quiet 45-point night' portion of stardom."

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: It's a true joy to watch this dude ply his craft nightly. Let's do our best not to take it for granted.

 OG Anunoby was a player we hadn't seen on a nightly basis for six weeks before he returned to action in Tuesday's victory over the Sixers. Fortunately, OG looked good and came out feeling fine from the Philadelphia game. When the Knicks published their injury report on Wednesday, it didn't include Anunoby's name for the first time since late January. 

However, with just under four minutes remaining in the second quarter last night, Anunoby swiped down at the ball as Deandre Ayton made his way across the lane. OG successfully pried the rock from Ayton's grasp, but Anunoby immediately yelped in pain and clutched at his surgically repaired right elbow. 

OG checked out at the next dead ball and spoke with the Knicks' medical staff, who wrapped up the elbow.