That’s less than a quarter of a full season, or just 20 games.
But the numbers when OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson share the floor are staggering.
With Friday night’s win against the Nets, the Knicks are 18-2 when the duo plays together, have a net rating of plus-24.7 per 599 minutes and an offensive rating of 125.8.
Silly.
The Knicks’ only losses with both members of the roster were setbacks against the Bulls and Mavericks, both on the road by a combined 12 points.
The December 30 trade with the Raptors, which sent RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley north of the border, has certainly worked wonders, even though Anunoby has missed 27 games with an elbow injury since his arrival.
The blocked defender is now healthy and the Knicks are heading into the playoffs, having won four straight and five of six.
Anunoby appeared in five of those contests, averaging 13.4 points and shooting a solid 47.8 percent from 3-point range.
In the win over the Nets, he had 15 points in 34 minutes and played his typical hard-nosed defense.
The Knicks outscored the Nets by four with Anunoby on the floor.
“Open, shoot. Guarded, make a play,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Hustle like crazy on defense. Be everywhere. I thought his activity was moving us forward.
The Bulls will be without Javonte Green (rest) and Andre Drummond (sprained ankle) in Sunday’s regular-season finale. Ayo Dosunmu (quad contusion) is questionable.
Their spot in the play-in tournament is locked, but it doesn’t look like they’ll rest their stars.
New York Post
