OG Anunoby’s Fast Start Hints at an Offensive Answer the Knicks Should Explore
OG Anunoby scored 12 points in 14 minutes against Philadelphia. Could greater offensive involvement help the Knicks ease the pressure on Jalen Brunson?
OG Anunoby provided one of the New York Knicks’ most encouraging performances during their 120–97 preseason loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. In just 14 minutes, he recorded 12 points and six rebounds, offering production while much of the offense struggled.
His contribution raises an interesting question about the OG Anunoby offensive role: could more purposeful involvement help New York distribute its scoring responsibilities?
One brief appearance cannot determine how the offense should operate throughout a season. Still, Anunoby’s start supplied a reason to explore opportunities that make greater use of him alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Anunoby Makes an Immediate Impact Against Philadelphia
Anunoby scored eight points in the opening quarter and reached 12 by halftime. His early contribution helped New York remain competitive before Philadelphia pulled away.
On a night when the Knicks finished 35-for-91 from the field and 8-for-41 from three-point range, that production mattered. He also collected six rebounds, finding another way to influence the game during his limited minutes.
The performance does not establish that Anunoby needs to become a primary offensive creator. It does suggest that New York should examine how consistently it puts him in positions to contribute.
There is a meaningful difference between asking a player to manufacture difficult shots and involving him earlier in a possession. Anunoby could receive more opportunities through coordinated movement, well-timed passes and actions that allow him to attack before the defense is set.
The objective would be to make his scoring opportunities more repeatable, rather than simply increasing his shot total.
How a Larger Role Could Help Brunson and Towns
Brunson’s ability to draw defensive attention gives teammates opportunities to operate in space. Towns creates another set of decisions for opponents through his scoring range and interior presence.
Anunoby could benefit from both by remaining active away from the ball. A cut behind a defender watching Brunson, for example, could turn that attention into a close-range opportunity. Running the floor after a stop could also produce chances before New York must execute against an organized defense.
Another option would be using quick ball reversals to find Anunoby against a closing defender. From there, an immediate drive or pass could extend the advantage created elsewhere.
These are potential ways to broaden his involvement without making every possession depend on isolation scoring. They could also reduce the burden on Brunson to create and finish the same play.
For Mike Brown, the challenge is fitting those opportunities into a balanced attack. Anunoby’s touches should work alongside the strengths of his teammates, with enough movement and spacing to keep defenders occupied.
The Philadelphia opener offered only a small sample, but Anunoby used it productively. Giving him more deliberate opportunities could help the Knicks turn that individual contribution into a steadier source of team offense.
