The first quarter of the 2024-25 Knicks regular season has been a bit of a feel out period. New York has a dynamic offensive duo in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but the team as a unit is still trying to figure out it’s identity.
One player who has seemed to carve out a role in the offense is OG Anunoby.
When the Knicks acquired the wing in a midseason trade with the Toronto Raptors last year, he was solid on offense and an elite defender who wrecked opponents perimeter offensive attack. Anunoby is still making an impact on defense but his offense has been equally impressive. In 19 games this season, he is third on the team in scoring with a career-high 17.9 points.
Coming into the season, Mikal Bridges was expected to be the team’s third option but he has struggled on both ends of the floor. Anunoby has stepped in to provide an unexpected source of extra offense, and he is thriving by doing more with less. He is making quick decisions and not holding the ball or dribbling incessantly.
Through 18 games, Anunoby is last among Knicks starters in touches per game per NBA Stats. He’s also averaging just 1.91 seconds per touch. Of New York’s eight rotation players, only backup center Jericho Sims has possession of the ball per touch for a shorter length than Anunoby.
The 6-7 forward has been able to score in a variety of ways that usually are quick, he’s adept as a spot-up shooter. Anunoby has been New York’s best off the ball cutter. He can also play like a rim-diving center in the dunker spot and he’s also been able to score in the post when teams switch or try to hide smaller defenders on him.
Anunoby produces 1.19 points per possession on post-ups which is 10th in the NBA. He can make plays in transition. 19.7 percent of Anunoby’s points have come off fastbreak opportunities per NBA Stats, the highest mark of any of New York’s eight rotation players.
Making an impact
The results on the floor are promising. In Anunoby’s 698 minutes this season, the Knicks are outscoring opponents by 6.8 points per 100 possessions. New York has lost the minutes when Anunoby is on the bench. He has the highest net rating of any starter.
The strong offensive play from Anunoby is a bit of a surprise. He’s always been a solid scorer throughout his career, but he’s never been viewed as a traditional “bucket getter.” But he’s figured out different ways to score this season.
Anunoby’s increased scoring role has also come at an important time. Bridges hasn’t looked comfortable in New York’s offense yet, so the Knicks don’t have much shot creation outside of Brunson and Towns. Finding other ways to score outside of attacking off the dribble or isolation is paramount to the Knicks establishing a quality offense.
After 19 games this season, the Knicks are ranked second in offensive efficiency, scoring 121.4 points per 100 possessions. Brunson and Towns are both averaging more than 25 points per game. But for the team to take another leap, they will need another player to step up on offense.
Could Anunoby cement himself as a third option?
Even though he has done well, it’s still fair to question if Anunoby can be a third option on a championship contending team. After his 40-point explosion against the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, Anunoby is in a small slump. He’s shooting just 6-of-26 from the field and 0-of-12 from the three-point line over the last two games.
Outside of Brunson and Towns, there’s been a lack of individual shot creation on the roster. That could be a problem to watch for the rest of the season, but Anunoby’s ability to make plays within the flow of the offense has been an early complement to New York’s two stars.
