OG Anunoby puts up rare dud in Knicks’ loss to 76ers

For someone who impacts the game in so many different ways, it’s a rarity when OG Anunoby is a non-factor. 

But that’s what he was Friday night. 

He didn’t score until 3:25 left in the game and finished with just two points on 1-for-9 shooting from the field in the Knicks’ 116-107 loss to the 76ers at Madison Square Garden.

And he was not the difference-maker on the defensive end that he usually is. 

It’s also rare for coach Mike Brown to complain about the referees, having twice this season criticized his own team for doing exactly that.

But he came to Anunoby’s defense in how he is officiated to explain Friday’s showing. 

“I thought he was aggressive on his drives, he didn’t get any calls,” Brown said. “It’s a weird game and the officials, they got a tough job but I don’t know if I’ll ever understand what’s a foul and what’s not a foul. Because guys, especially quick guys, they’ll put their head down and they’ll drive from point A to point B and if you lead with your chest, and they’re able to flop or fall off you good enough, it’s a foul. OG is a big, strong guy. When he drives, he doesn’t do that, he’s trying to attack the rim. He’s getting rerouted on his drive, but he can’t seem to get a call. 

“I thought his aggression was there, he just couldn’t get to the free-throw line. I thought he had a couple of good looks from the 3-point line and it just kind of got away from him. Again, I’m not sure what he can do right now to get a call on his drives. Not necessarily at the rim, I’m talking on the drive because he’s getting hit just like everyone else is, but he’s a little bit bigger than some of those other guards, they’re getting calls.” 

The Tyler Kolek breakout came back down to earth. 

After likely the three best games of his young NBA career across the Knicks’ last three games, he was a weak spot in Friday’s loss. He finished with two points, two assists, four turnovers and five fouls in 15 minutes. 

He was also hunted on the defensive end, with Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe looking to attack him. 

Josh Hart (abdomen), Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle management) returned after one-game hiatuses on Thursday against the Pacers. 

The 76ers were without Joel Embiid due to both an illness and left knee management.