OG Anunoby said the New York Knicks have the answer in front of them after their Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs: play sharper, stay aggressive, and stop giving the ball away.
“Just having poise,” Anunoby said Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s Game 4 of the NBA Finals. “Having poise, being decisive whatever I do, whether it’s shoot or drive or jab or whatever. Being decisive and then just shoot with confidence.”
The Knicks forward has been one of New York’s steadiest offensive options in the series, and he said the next step is carrying that edge into the opening minutes. “Just coming out from the start, aggressive,” he said. “Playing the way we play, our style, being physical, getting stops, running in transition, moving the ball, taking good shots.”
New York still leads the series 2-1, but Game 3 showed how quickly San Antonio can flip a game when the Knicks get loose with the ball. Anunoby pointed directly to the turnover problem. “Yeah, I don’t know about the other stuff, but I mean, yeah, we were making turnovers that were uncharacteristic of us,” he said. “Just being sloppy with the ball. Not being on the same page.”
He added that the fix is already in motion. “We already watched film,” Anunoby said. “We’re going to keep watching film and try to fix those mistakes from happening again.”
Anunoby also said the Spurs’ physicality has forced New York into tougher possessions, especially in close, late-clock situations. “Just trying to be aggressive and assertive no matter who’s guarding me,” he said when asked about the matchup with Victor Wembanyama. “Just reading the situation and letting that tell me what I’m going to do, whether it’s pass, shoot, or drive, and try to finish.”
Asked why his offensive game has taken another step during the Knicks’ playoff run, Anunoby credited preparation and opportunity. “I think just, I mean I’ve always worked on my game,” he said. “Maybe a little bit more usage. But just being prepared, being ready to shoot. Being assertive.”
He also didn’t shy away when asked whether he feels overlooked as an offensive player. “I think so. Yeah, I do,” Anunoby said.
