The New York Knicks need all the good vibes they can get after Julius Randle was ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
OG Anunoby Returns to Knicks Starting Lineup
On Friday night, the Knicks received just that. As New York prepared to face the Chicago Bulls, OG Anunoby made his triumphant return to the starting lineup. The seven-year veteran has missed 27 of his last 31 games, including the last nine, with an elbow injury.
Finishing the game with 12 points on 50.0 percent shooting from 3 and two steals in 29 minutes, Anunoby was a +5 in New York’s eight-point loss.
OG Anunoby driving dunk pic.twitter.com/o9Ldw0VSAY
— Knicks Highlights (@KnicksClipss) April 6, 2024
OG Anunoby steal + DiVincenzo slam pic.twitter.com/csCgopMNhy
— Knicks Highlights (@KnicksClipss) April 6, 2024
OG Anunoby pull-up middy pic.twitter.com/3Rx1jXf2wy
— Knicks Highlights (@KnicksClipss) April 6, 2024
OG Anunoby corner three, good pass by Brunson pic.twitter.com/uIhaIis1VI
— Knicks Highlights (@KnicksClipss) April 6, 2024
Anunoby’s return was spoiled by the Bulls but it was a momentum-builder. He’s now averaging 14.4 points and 1.7 steals per game with the Knicks while shooting 37.0 percent from 3. Yet, he’s only shooting 29.4 percent from 3 in his last four games.
Following the game, Anunoby discussed his return, saying “I definitely wanted to play some games before the playoffs started” (per the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy).
He also addressed the elbow tendinopathy that sent him to the sidelines almost as soon as he got back, saying it was “just inflammation.”
Detailing the changes he’s made to his recovery this time around, it’s clear that he’s trying to exercise more patience.
“So just taking my time and it’s going to get better and better.”
“Maybe less shooting,” Anunoby says. “Building up the shooting, not just going back to shooting like I normally shoot.”
Expanding His Role
With Randle out, Anunoby’s role could expand.
That said, there’s not a great sample to say one way or the other. The only games he’s played without Randle are the ones in which he’s been returning from injury. He’s averaging 10.0 points on 9.5 field goal attempts per game in those contests. Yet, to help fill the void left by Randle, he’d have to score more than his current average with the Knicks.
Notably, his career-high is 17.1 points per game.
There may be evidence that he’s capable of a larger scoring role. Anunoby averaged 21.2 points per game in Nov. 2022. It was one of three months last season that he averaged at least 18.5 points per game. In Nov. 2021, Anunoby averaged 22.0 points per game.
While viewed primarily as a 3-point specialist, the 26-year-old is an athletic three-level scorer. He may not have the shot-creation ability or scoring instincts that will allow him to consistently light up the scoreboard. However, he has great physical tools and shooting touch.
