“O-G! O-G! O-G!”
The rhythmic chant echoed through Ball Arena, emanating from a small but spirited contingent of Knicks fans in the sellout crowd. Two-letter names have a way of rolling off the tongue, and for OG Anunoby, it was a fitting soundtrack to a career night.
Anunoby was in full “go-mode,” and the Knicks followed his lead, dismantling the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets with a statement 145-118 victory on Monday night. In the third stop of their five-game road trip, New York put on an offensive clinic, fueled by Anunoby’s career-high 40-point eruption on 16-of-23 shooting from the field, including a 5-of-7 shooting night from beyond the arc.
With 38 points already under his belt by the end of the third quarter, the Knicks faithful welcomed Anunoby to the bench with thunderous chants of his name.
Karl-Anthony Towns, seated beside him, waved the crowd on, relishing the moment as their team cruised to victory.
Monday marked Anunoby’s eighth 20-point game of the season, all coming in November, underscoring his emergence as a dual-threat star. Signed to a franchise-record five-year, $212.5 million contract in the offseason for his defensive prowess, Anunoby has exceeded expectations on the offensive end.
His two-way impact was on full display against Denver. Not only did he torch the Nuggets with his scoring, but he also contributed defensively, helping to stifle three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. Anunoby tallied one block, a key one on Jokic, who entered the game averaging a triple-double with 30.3 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 11.3 assists. Jokic finished with a modest 22 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists before sitting out the final quarter as the Knicks’ relentless attack rendered the game out of reach.
With the win, the Knicks have now taken five of their last six games, including a sweep of the final three contests of a four-game homestand. Their victims include two wins over cross-bridge rival Brooklyn and a blowout of the lowly Washington Wizards. Monday’s victory over the Nuggets, however, holds greater significance.
Denver may not currently resemble its championship-winning form, but it remains a formidable opponent. The Knicks didn’t just beat the Nuggets — they dominated from start to finish, sending a message to the rest of the league.
The Knicks set the tone early, leading 18-16 with 4:30 left in the first quarter before closing the period on an 18-8 run. By halftime, they had built a commanding lead, thanks to a 40-point second quarter, and their defense held Denver to just 29 points in the frame.
The offensive firepower was a stark contrast to their previous outing, a disappointing loss to the Utah Jazz in which they managed only 106 points. This time, the Knicks made a statement, leaving no doubt about their intentions as contenders.
While Anunoby stole the show, he wasn’t alone in his heroics. Towns delivered a masterpiece, finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists on an ultra-efficient 12-of-15 shooting night. Towns’ floor-spacing and versatility have been pivotal for New York’s offense, and his chemistry with Jalen Brunson continues to blossom.
Brunson, meanwhile, has continued his playmaking spree, finishing with 23 points and a career-high 17 assists. Monday night’s performance marked the fourth of his last five games with 10 or more assists.
Russell Westbrook came off the bench to score 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-7 from deep. While his late-game surge made things momentarily interesting, the Nuggets never truly threatened the Knicks, who won all four quarters individually.
The Knicks tallied 45 total team assists and committed just nine turnovers — a feat no team had accomplished since 1991.
With momentum on their side, the Knicks now face a new challenge: a matchup with the reigning Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks. For Brunson, it’s a return to the team where he blossomed into a star. But this time, the stakes are different.
The Mavericks, missing Luka Doncic due to a wrist strain, will lean heavily on former Nets guard Kyrie Irving. Irving will likely draw the defensive attention of Anunoby, whose hot streak on offense and lockdown defense could be the key to securing another road win.
