OG Anunoby credited defensive discipline and team-wide resilience as the foundation behind the New York Knicks’ 108-105 overtime win over the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Speaking postgame, Anunoby described the approach that helped limit Jayson Tatum, who averaged over 30 points against New York during the regular season.
“Just forced him into difficult shots,” Anunoby said. “He’s a great player and he’s going to make some tough ones. Just try to make him as uncomfortable as possible.”
The Knicks trailed by as many as 20 points before staging a second-half rally fueled by stops, transition offense, and Anunoby’s two-way production.
“I felt like I had it going early,” Anunoby said. “Just trying to hunt for shots, get out in transition, run, and just be aggressive and make the right play — whether it’s passing it or shooting it.”
Anunoby finished with 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting and six made threes, including key buckets late in regulation and overtime.
Asked about what drove his performance in his first healthy playoff run since 2022, the 27-year-old pointed to both personal and team experience.
“I think, yeah, I’ve played against great teams in the past,” Anunoby said. “We all have experience. Jalen’s been in the conference finals. Mikal and Cam been in the Finals. KAT’s been in the West Conference finals. It shows in moments like this — in tough games, you know, we’re resilient.”
Brunson, who also scored 29 points, emphasized Anunoby’s impact after the team fell behind 75-55 in the third quarter.
“Yeah, definitely sparked us,” Brunson said. “Just the way he’s been playing, not just in the postseason but all year. I have the utmost confidence in him every time he’s on the floor, on both sides of the ball.”
The Knicks held Boston to 15-of-60 from three-point range and forced key misses late.
Anunoby also credited Mikal Bridges, who had eight points and the game-sealing steal, for making “big stops” and “big-time shots.”
Looking ahead, Anunoby stressed the need to stay focused despite the emotional nature of the win.
“We got to flush this as quick as possible,” he said, echoing Brunson’s approach to resetting for Game 2.
New York will try to carry its defensive intensity into Wednesday’s rematch at TD Garden.
