The Knicks didn’t need to lean on Jalen Brunson as a result of the star model of OG Anunoby resumed Sunday.
Anunoby dropped 32 factors on ridiculous effectivity — 13-of-17 taking pictures from the sphere — persevering with the perfect stretch of his profession in a 112-98 win over the Suns.
He’s scored not less than 20 factors in 10 straight video games for the primary time.
“I don’t think I’m in a zone,” Anunoby stated. “I think I’m always capable.”
There have been questions as as to if Anunoby would take a step again with Brunson coming back from a monthlong damage absence.
It was a pure concern since Brunson is so ball-dominant and Anunoby’s utilization fee goes down with the purpose guard on the court docket.
Coach Tom Thibodeau pushed again onerous at that premise.
“That notion is a bunch of garbage. … He’s all over the floor. That’s how he’s scoring,” Thibodeau stated after Saturday’s win in Atlanta. “That’s the way everyone’s scoring. … That’s a bunch of excuse making and that’s the way I see it.”
Anunoby adopted with a various offensive recreation, together with a 360-degree jam within the remaining minute. He’s been the Knicks’ finest participant for a month.
On Sunday, he was tasked with guarding Phoenix’s finest participant — Devin Booker, who exploded for 40 factors — whereas main the offense.
“He’s been playing unbelievable these past couple of weeks. All season, but he really stepped up recently and he’s just doing what he does. That’s what we expect of him,” Brunson stated. “Everyone knew what he could do defensively. Offensively I think he’s taken a step forward just the way he’s been playing. He’s always had that and I think he’s been showcasing it.”
Brunson wasn’t the one Knick coming back from an extended absence Sunday.
Miles McBride additionally performed in opposition to the Suns after lacking eight video games due to a groin situation, marking the primary time the 24-year-old appeared in additional than two weeks.
He scored eight factors in 16 minutes off the bench, then defined what was holding up his comeback.
“Obviously if you watch me, I’m explosive on both ends of the ball. I just really wanted to make sure I was comfortable and cutting and being explosive,” McBride stated.
McBride performed his ordinary position as the primary guard off the bench and as a part of the primary Knicks workforce at nearly full power in over a month.
Mitchell Robinson, who rested throughout Saturday’s win over the Hawks, Cam Payne, who was listed as possible earlier than Sunday’s tipoff due to a sprained ankle, and Karl-Anthony Cities, who has been coping with finger and knee illnesses, have been additionally lively.
The one injured and inactive Knicks participant was rookie Ariel Hukporti, who is finished for the season after present process surgical procedure to restore a torn meniscus.
“It was good to have everyone out there again,” Thibodeau stated.
With the Knicks getting ready to locking up the third seed (they want a win or a Pacers loss), Thibodeau indicated he received’t change the method — i.e., begin resting gamers — as soon as the place is clinched.
“We’re not skipping over anything. And this is the approach we’ve taken all season long,” Thibodeau stated. “We’re not going to change now, so we think this’ll help prepare us for what’s down the road.”
