It has been 53 years since the New York Knicks last claimed the Larry O’Brien trophy. Since 1973, the fan base has waited eagerly, wondering if their beloved franchise would ever be crowned champions again. This past weekend, it finally did. The New York Knicks overcame the up-and-coming San Antonio Spurs in five games, becoming the 2026 NBA Champions.
Rightfully so, most headlines focus on the Finals MVP performance from Jalen Brunson, especially after Brunson’s heroics put the Knicks on his back to close out the Spurs in Game 5. After the Brunson talk, most pundits shift to Karl-Anthony Towns. However, when we strip away the headlining narratives and look closely at the gameplay and numbers, another player’s story takes center stage. It is a tale of the ultimate X-Factor. Not only did OG Anunoby play spectacularly during New York’s title run, but he also produced one of the most efficient and impactful playoff performances in NBA history.
How OG Anunoby Engineered The New York Knicks’ 2026 Championship
In modern basketball analysis, people generally look at Points per 100 Shot Attempts to measure scoring efficiency. PSA measures how effectively a player converts offensive opportunities into points. During New York’s run to the title, Anunoby’s PSA fell nothing short of remarkable.
In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers, he played 30 minutes, scoring 18 points on eight shots. Of those eight shots, he sank seven of them, including two from three-point range. That level of efficiency led to a 200 PSA, which is practically unheard of.
Crazy enough, Game 1 against Philadelphia was not an isolated incident. In crucial closeout contests and Finals matchups, Anunoby posted PSA’s in the 90th percentile or higher for his position. In a round one tilt against the Atlanta Hawks, he posted 29 points, hitting 11-of-14 shots for a 181.3 PSA. Not settling for poor shots or forcing the action, Anunoby punished defensive rotations with precision.
The Low-Usage Co-Star
A key attribute of an elite wing player on a championship roster lies in the ability to influence the game without completely dominating possessions. Luckily for the Knicks, they did not need Anunoby to control possessions. New York needed him to finish plays.
Throughout the postseason, Anunoby’s Usage Rate sat between 13% and 22%. For wings, this Usage Rate falls in the sweet spot. Though he recorded a low volume of offensive command, he consistently produced high-level point totals. Averaging close to 20 Points Per Game, Anunoby consistently impacted games without the need for isolation-heavy plays, allowing New York’s primary creators to operate with maximum spacing.
When defenses collapsed on Brunson or double-teamed Towns, Anunoby sat in wait on the perimeter. His accurate outside shooting forced defenses to choose between leaving him open and allowing Brunson a clear path to the basket. Additionally, Anunoby took great care of the basketball. In postseason battles where every possession counts, he consistently put forth games with one or fewer turnovers. Not only did he execute on his scoring opportunities, but he also served as a mistake-free asset.
Defensive Anchor
Not discussing Anunoby’s elite defensive abilities would fall under irresponsible malpractice. As it’s been stated on numerous occasions, offense wins games, but defense wins championships.
Throughout the NBA Finals, head coach Mike Brown kept Anunoby on the court, playing between 35 and 41 minutes per game. Serving as one of New York’s most defensively effective pieces, he was consistently responsible for guarding an opponent’s most lethal perimeter threats. Against the Spurs, that meant chasing De’Aaron Fox, matching up against Stephon Castle, and taking on the otherworldly Victor Wembanyama.
Anunoby disrupted passing lanes, altered shots, and served as the anchor to a defense that successfully made some of the league’s best offenses appear mortal. Achieving this level of defensive effectiveness while also producing top-notch offensive efficiency requires stamina that few players possess.
Game 4 Masterpiece
If there is one game that fully demonstrates Anunoby’s value, it is the Knicks’ comeback win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Knicks found themselves down big against the Spurs, trailing by as many as 29 points in front of their home crowd. The series, which once felt in New York’s control, was slipping away. Anunoby responded by playing 41 hard-fought minutes and putting together one of the greatest playoff performances in NBA history. He shot 10-for-15 from the field and an incredible 7-for-9 from three-point range, recording 33 points. His PSA for the game sat at an astounding 183.3.
Of course, the numbers only tell half the story. His play in the final moments of the contest cemented Anunoby’s name in New York’s history books forever. With the Knicks trailing 106-105 and only seconds remaining, he chased down Fox to secure a crucial stop. On the next possession, Anunoby crashed the glass on a missed Brunson three-pointer, tipping the ball in with just 1.2 seconds remaining, securing a Knicks victory. In just a matter of seconds, Anunoby recorded the most historic block, offensive rebound, and points in franchise history. It completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history and pushed the Knicks to the brink of the championship.
Legacy Cemented
Basketball is a complex game of moving parts. To win it all, a team needs players who understand their role and play to their strengths. Throughout the postseason, Anunoby did exactly that. Not the flashiest player on the court, he never demanded the spotlight, even though it still occasionally found him. His historically efficient shooting, low-maintenance offense, and elite perimeter defense became the foundational glue of New York’s roster.
After 53 long years, the New York Knicks are on top of the NBA mountaintop once again. To put it simply, the team would not find itself there without Anunoby’s relentless execution.
All advanced stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass.
Featured Image: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
