OG Anunoby defense pays dividends in Knicks…
His offensive prowess simply stood out on the box rating. But what was more spectacular to the gang at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night time was OG Anunoby’s late-game defense.
The ninth-year ahead had the arduous job of locking down a healthy and lively Zion Williamson.
He shared the load with Karl-Anthony Towns, but Anunoby was the one who delivered in crunch time as the Knicks beat the Pelicans 121-116 for their seventh straight victory.
OG Anunoby blocks a shot by Zion Williamson during the fourth quarter of the Knicks’ 121-116 win over the Pelicans on March 24, 2026 at the Garden. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
In the fourth quarter, as the Knicks led 100-94 with 9 minutes to play, Williamson, the 2019 No. 1 general decide, backed Anunoby into the paint and tried to spin and shoot over him.
The Knicks’ star defender denied him, leaping up and swatting the ball to the baseline.
Williamson clapped his palms twice at the missed alternative as Knicks followers roared for the rejection.
It all got here down to “anticipating,” Anunoby said after the win.
Before that, the 28-year-old also grabbed a steal off the Pelicans star as he misplaced control of the ball. On the other end, former Pelican Jose Alvarado discovered Mohamed Diawara to convert a leap shot.
Anunoby completed the night time with three steals and one block.
“Our defensive player of the game was OG,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “He guarded a lot of different players throughout the game, but to close the game the way he did against Zion, he’s a monster. He’s a handful for anybody but for OG to be able to do the job that he did on him down the stretch was huge.”
The last time the Knicks confronted Williamson, he had his manner with them with 32 factors on Dec. 29.
Mitchell Robinson (left) and OG Anunoby double crew Zion Williamson during the second quarter of the Knicks’ win over the Pelicans. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
On Tuesday, the Knicks held him to 22 factors on 8-of-10 from the sector, but it wasn’t the same dominant feeling as before.
“I was just trying to make it difficult for him,” Anunoby said. “Trying to make the catches difficult, push them out further and then just play one-on-one defense. I have great teammates who help me out, communicating what’s behind me. Just executing.”
Anunoby also didn’t miss a beat offensively, scoring 21 factors and serving to the Knicks get one step nearer to the East’s No. 2 playoff slot. He shot 7-for-16 from the sector and tallied 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
He also owned a plus-17 ranking.
“We have great defensive pieces all over the floor, so we’ve just been executing, communicating better and it’s been showing on the court,” Anunoby said.
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