In a significant development for the New York Knicks, Josh Hart's impressive performance and OG Anunoby's return to the lineup have been pivotal. Hart achieved a notable triple-double with 19 rebounds, marking his sixth of the season, and has been a consistent force in the Knicks' recent games, playing substantial minutes. Anunoby, on the other hand, recently returned from an elbow surgery that had sidelined him since January 27, alongside Julius Randle. His comeback is seen as a turning point for the Knicks, potentially elevating them from a good team to a legitimate title contender. The duo's synergy on the court has led to the Knicks holding their opponents to significantly low points, with a recent victory over the 76ers highlighting their defensive strength. However, concerns have emerged regarding Anunoby's elbow, as he appeared to be in discomfort during a game against the Trail Blazers, despite having played 36 minutes. Coach Tom Thibodeau and Anunoby himself have downplayed the severity, attributing it to expected soreness post-surgery. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson's remarkable 45-point performance against the Trail Blazers has further spotlighted the Knicks' current form, with MVP chants for Brunson echoing in Portland. The Knicks led the Blazers 85-68 through three quarters, with Brunson scoring 35 points and 4 assists, and Anunoby contributing 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, despite his discomfort from 'rapid movement'.
Jalen Brunson on OG and the elbow pain: “I feel like if he’s hurt he wouldn’t play. I think a lot of us have mindsets like that. But he went back out there so that’s a telling sign."
OG Anunoby on the elbow: "It’s just sore. Nothing really happened. Just went for a ball. And it hurt randomly, but it’s fine." Said the discomfort tonight was from "rapid movement" that "you can’t recreate" in practice.
The fact that OG stayed in the game, dunked twice and played 36 minutes despite wincing a few times while holding his elbow was somewhat reassuring. Thibs also said some soreness was expected. The hope now is no residual issues tomorrow! #Knicks
Tom Thibodeau said the Knicks expected OG Anunoby, who was holding his surgically repaired elbow and grimacing throughout the game, to have moments like he did tonight. “Stuff like that is gonna happen,” he said. Added, “We were expecting there to be bumps and bruises like that.”
Knicks’ win over Trail Blazers comes with another OG Anunoby concern https://t.co/SXtWs44nJQ https://t.co/f07RHjFZqn
Knicks beat Portland behind Jalen Brunson's 45 points, but OG Anunoby's elbow is bothering him | @StevePopper https://t.co/40BL97jFHi
HE GETS BUCKETS 🔥🔥 @jalenbrunson1 https://t.co/aNTDFuOQFC
JALEN BRUNSON WAS ON FIRE TONIGHT! 🔥 https://t.co/hzo0rn71PV
Jalen Brunson dropped a 45-point BOMB in Portland. 💣 https://t.co/uuPjFaJdvX
Jalen Brunson tonight 🔥 45 PTS 4 AST 1 STL 1 BLK https://t.co/cZi4BCjEyT
Jalen Brunson tonight: 45 Points 4 Assists 1 Rebound 1 Steal 1 Block https://t.co/IkEHQNQ5md
I've seen my fair share of Jalen Brunson 40-point game, but this might be the most ho-hum. A methodical, nothing-to-see-here 45-point performance with a little time left to go.
40-piece for Jalen Brunson 🔥 https://t.co/fIGE3HbXwk
Pretty much any time Anunoby does anything with his right arm, he is wincing/short-arming it and then grabbing his surgically-repaired elbow in discomfort.
Jalen Brunson is dominating in Portland! #NewYorkForever look to close out #RipCity in the 4️⃣th now on MSG or stream on https://t.co/exOCr0wuRd @nyknicks | @BillPidto | @alanhahn https://t.co/7mU6BkuhtG
Through three quarters, the Knicks lead the Blazers 85-68. • Brunson 35 pts, 4 asts • Anunoby 10 & 5, 2 stls • DiVincenzo 12 & 4 • Ayton 20 & 8
During timeout, Anunoby is coming out with 2:27 left in the third with trainer looking at his arm. He's clearly been feeling it, wincing after most plays, but also has his usual steals and a reverse dunk and a two-handed coast to coast dunk.
Anunoby had a long talk with Dr. Anthony Goengage and has just remained on the bench while the team completes warmups. But then gets up into huddle and looks like he's going to try to play.
OG Anunoby comes out with the team to warm up for the second half with just the same brace he's been wearing on his right elbow -- but after one shot he's talking to training staff and heads to the bench.
Jalen Brunson (21 PTS) avoids the fall and lays it in with english 🤯 Knicks-Trail Blazers | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/GqPmdyCvMJ https://t.co/Tk9pLwbfMH
Anunoby has the elbow wrapped on the bench now. Looks like wrapped with ice, but he's staying on the bench.
Anunoby has stayed on the bench but has his arm wrapped by the training staff -- can't tell from here if it's ice or heat, but he has been icing it every day after games and practices.
Ugh… looked like OG tweaked his injured right elbow swiping down on Ayton and creating this steal… OG checked out at next dead ball https://t.co/dMB9itzAUV
Anunoby went to teh bench and now training staff is talking with him - hasn't gone to the locker room. https://t.co/aZ1QyWVS7E
Anunoby now out of the game, talking with a trainer on the bench. https://t.co/w2sv2dT8zx
OG Anunoby just reached in for a steal and seemed to be favoring his right elbow after...and Hart heading to the scorers table to take him out.
OG Anunoby just swatted away a ball with his right arm and then immediately grabbed his elbow. Anunoby just returned from surgery on the right elbow last game.
Jalen Brunson tosses it high off the glass to cash in on the and-1! Knicks-Trail Blazers | Live on the NBA App 📲 https://t.co/GqPmdyCvMJ https://t.co/smho38D50j
Really really loud MVP chants for Jalen Brunson here in Portland.
#PostSportsPlus: How the OG Anunoby-Josh Hart combo defies a Tom Thibodeau trend and turbocharges the Knicks https://t.co/LC08wn4T0M https://t.co/mC9oGuC0R4
How the OG Anunoby-Josh Hart combo defies a Tom Thibodeau trend and turbocharges the Knicks https://t.co/VD04m2Top9 https://t.co/rYiwKwOVFW
Stephon Marbury endorses Jalen Brunson for MVP consideration #JalenBrunson https://t.co/AnCx2iXtiY
Knicks’ OG Anunoby glad he decided to undergo elbow surgery https://t.co/Bh5mXBBwQF https://t.co/0hpAPZynvY
🏀 1/ HELP — OG Anunoby’s injury return marks the beginning of Knicks redefining roles, rotation https://t.co/qpHMp1CF0O 2/ Josh Hart gets pulled one rebound shy of first career 20-20 game: ‘Thomas Thibodeau wanted to take me out of the game’ @Krisplashed https://t.co/0sEDT9M6kU
With OG Anunoby back in the lineup, the Knicks are clearly a different — and much better — team, @meanbarb writes https://t.co/0tYHI8ZkXH
With OG Anunoby back, everyone can breathe a little bit https://t.co/vv4sTX3Ccb
'They play a great brand of basketball! They spread the rock around!' @EddiePresti_ from @brewcrewsports_ breaks down OG Anunoby’s return for the #Knicks, Josh Hart’s impact on the team with @BrandonLondonTV #NewYorkForever https://t.co/Z5EnHfKjQk
Josh Hart's minutes played in the last nine Knicks games before Tuesday night: 43 42 43 45 47 40 42 42 44 Hart subbed out after playing 39 minutes against Philly, and he was PUMPED about it 😂 https://t.co/01atiLgRAY
OG’s return was greatly felt as the Knicks got their revenge against the 76ers, holding their third consecutive opponent to under 80 points while Josh Hart picked up his sixth triple double of the season. @KNICKSTAPE__ here to jump into the revenge win 👇 https://t.co/zv9NRGjZ7B
this is wild... Josh Hart and OG Anunoby have shared the floor together for a total of 241 minutes over 14 games (not a minuscule sample size) In those 241 minutes, the Knicks have held opponents to just 85.1 points per 100 possessions. https://t.co/A1nBZ9Yxx2
new words: * Anunoby raises the Knicks' floor from good to great. And raises New York's ceiling from great to "legit title contender." * Josh Hart is good and plays hard and does a lot of stuff https://t.co/7Qe0abLc2I https://t.co/uHYosiVDtL
OG Anunoby’s injury return marks beginning of Knicks redefining roles, rotation Both Anunoby and Julius Randle left the rotation Jan. 27. As a result, Thibodeau thrust both Achiuwa and Josh Hart into the starting lineup. Here’s how it shakes out on paper: https://t.co/rC9E1Y4z0n
Only four NBA players have grabbed more than 100 rebounds and dished out more than 50 assists since the All-Star break: Nikola Jokic, Domantas Sabonis, Luka Doncic, ...and... Josh Hart https://t.co/BbYnhcOpZT
Knicks’ Josh Hart settles for 19 rebounds in impressive triple-double https://t.co/wTioZifXBG https://t.co/y2rgsSapg5