OG Anunoby helped transform the Knicks into one of the top defensive teams in the league in January, and a third straight stifling team-wide performance in his return to the lineup following an 18-game absence helped Tom Thibodeau’s squad secure a much-needed bounce-back victory.
With Anunoby starting for the first time since going down in late January with an elbow injury that required cleanup surgery, the Knicks avenged their ugly loss to the 76ers two nights earlier by downing the same divisional rival 106-79 Tuesday night to late chants of “Philly sucks” at the Garden.
It is the first time the Knicks have held three straight opponents under 80 points since 2000.
Knicks forward OG Anunoby slams the ball in front of 76ers Kyle Lowry during their 106-79 win Tuesday night. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostAnunoby netted 14 and was a plus-28 over 29 minutes in his first appearance since Jan. 27, as the Knicks (38-27 overall) improved to 13-2 with him in the lineup this season following a late-December acquisition from the Raptors.
“It’s sort of, in some ways, it’s similar to an in-season trade,” Thibodeau said of Anunoby’s return. “You’re without a player. He’s out an extended amount of time. There will be an adjustment period not only for him but his teammates as well.
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“Everyone’s role will slightly change. The challenge is for everyone to continue to be who you are; play to your strengths, cover up your weaknesses. Don’t do anything foolish to hurt the team.”
Anunoby replaced Precious Achiuwa in the starting lineup, and backup center Jericho Sims was dropped for now from the rotation.
Josh Hart remained in the starting five and recorded his fourth triple-double of the season with 20 points, a career-high-tying 19 rebounds and 10 assists in 39 minutes.
He was 54 seconds shy of posting his 10th consecutive game of at least 40 minutes played, coming that close to becoming the first NBA player since Rockets guard James Harden in 2016 to do so in 10 straight.
Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein dunks the ball against the 76ers on Tuesday. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostThe Garden crowd gave Hart a rousing ovation when he was removed late in the fourth quarter, and he responded by pumping his fist several times when shown on the scoreboard.
Jalen Brunson scored 20 points with nine assists and Achiuwa contributed 13 points off the bench for the Knicks, who had dropped 10 of the 18 games they played without Anunoby.
All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey scored 17 points after missing the previous four games with a concussion, and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 19 for the Sixers (36-29).
With All-Star power forward Julius Randle (shoulder) and center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) still sidelined for the Knicks, Anunoby became the first of the team’s starting frontline to make it back after he’d been cleared to resume practicing fully last week.
“He’s back, our savior is back,” Hart joked about Anunoby before the game. “[He’s] someone who spaces the court with his shooting, and obviously defensively he’s a juggernaut.
“Someone who definitely is going to help us on both sides of the ball.”
Coming off what Hart and Brunson had described as a “s–t” performance in scoring an NBA season-low 73 points in Sunday’s home loss to the Sixers, the Knicks raced to a 17-7 lead nearly midway through Tuesday’s first quarter.
Anunoby sank his first two shots, a midrange jumper along the baseline in the opening minute and his initial 3-point attempt shortly thereafter. Every starter was at least plus-10 in the first quarter as the Knicks held the Sixers to six field goals on 18 attempts in building a stingy 26-14 advantage through one.
Jalen Brunson celebrates during the Knicks’ win over the 76ers on Tuesday night. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostHart played the first 14 minutes of the game before he was replaced by Anunoby, who promptly knocked down another corner trey to help extend the cushion to 15 barely three minutes into the second quarter.
After Oubre and Buddy Hield combined for all of the points in an 8-0 Philly run to close within seven, Brunson found Anunoby for a fast-break dunk that enlivened the home crowd.
Donte DiVincenzo (16 points) followed with his second trey, and Brunson buried two more from long distance to push the lead back to 13 en route to a 59-41 game at intermission.
Maxey netted five in an 7-0 spurt early in the third to pull Philly within 10, but another 3-ball by DiVincenzo and a spinning drive and slam by Anunoby put the Knicks up 69-53 midway through the quarter.
Isaiah Hartenstein and Anunoby added additional dunks as part of a game-breaking 22-4 run en route to a commanding 87-61 lead entering the final period.
