OG Anunoby warms up before the Minnesota Timberwolves game.
Coach of the New York Knicks Tom Thibodeau made a suggestion that OG Anunoby might make a comeback during their next road trip after having elbow surgery.
Thibodeau stated, “They can travel,” addressing Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Julius Randle. “Hopefully, OG receives clearance to play.”
On Sunday, March 10, during the Knicks’ first home-and-home matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, Anunoby missed his eighteenth game.
However, Anunoby has participated fully in Knicks sessions without encountering any difficulties. All he needs is the doctor’s approval, which should be forthcoming.
Upon his midseason trade from Toronto to the Knicks in January, Anunoby quickly established himself as the team’s defensive cornerstone. After he arrived, the Knicks’ defense—which had the lowest defensive rating in the league in December (123.1)—became the best in January (104.4).
According to ESPN Stats & Information research, they quickly raced to a 14-2 record in January, with Anunoby recording plus-252, the highest mark for any NBA player in his first 14 games with a new team since play-by-play was initially tracked in 1996–1997.
Anunoby shot 51.6% from the floor and averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.1 blocks. His 40.4% shooting percentage on catch-and-shoot threes has supported his seamless fit. From the right corner, where he shoots an incredible 48%, almost 9% higher than the league average (39.2%), Statmuse reports that he is very skilled.
OG Anunoby Is Eager to “Make Another Run”
Both the Knicks fan base and the player himself are excited about Anunoby’s impending comeback.
“Hopefully, I’ll return before the playoffs,” Anunoby said to reporters via SNY on February 20. “Just moving forward day by day, adhering to the medical staff’s and doctors’ orders. Every day, I feel better and healthier. Thus, yes. I’m eager to return as soon as feasible.
Undoubtedly, I’m eager to return. I believe that everyone on the team is eager to get back together and play as a unit.
Due to Anunoby’s absence, which coincided with Randle’s, the Knicks are at 8-9 heading into their game against the 76ers on Sunday.
Is Julius Randle Capable of Reaching His All-Star Level Again?
Anunoby will soon return, but it’s unclear when Randle will do the same. Additionally, former Knicks general manager Scott Perry expressed some reservations about his potential return.
On March 5, Perry noted on “NBA Today,” “We saw how long it took him to get back acclimated to start the season because Randle had missed all of the offseason due to ankle surgery.” His start was so slow that there were calls for him to be traded.
During my final year in New York, the identical incident occurred. He had an incredible regular season until getting hurt in the final five games. He never was able to find his rhythm again, which caused him to suffer in the postseason. Therefore, it will be crucial that he returns to the Knicks in order to obtain that.
Randle’s performance in the playoffs was impacted by the ankle sprain he managed to play through. Notwithstanding Randle’s appalling 28.1% shooting from outside the arc and meager 41.1% field goal percentage, the Knicks advanced to the second round, forcing the Miami Heat, the eventual Eastern Conference winner, to six games.
