The return of Jalen Brunson raised questions about OG Anunoby’s offensive production, as Brunson is a dominant ball-handler. Coach Tom Thibodeau dismissed concerns about Anunoby’s role, emphasizing the need for team sacrifice and fluidity in gameplay. He stated that players should focus on what benefits the team rather than individual stats. Thibodeau argued that Anunoby’s scoring opportunities would still arise through movement and strategic play in transition, regardless of Brunson’s high usage rate. Anunoby’s production during Brunson’s absence saw a notable increase, but Thibodeau expects him to adapt now that Brunson is back, prioritizing team success over personal statistics.
The return of Jalen Brunson raised an important secondary question about OG Anunoby: can the Knicks still expect elite offensive output from their wing if he’s sharing the ball with the point guard?
This concern seemed valid given Brunson’s ball-dominant style and Anunoby’s increased usage rate over the past month. However, Tom Thibodeau strongly dismissed the idea that it was worth considering.
“That kind of talk is just background noise,” Thibodeau remarked after his Knicks defeated the Hawks on Saturday. “The game dictates the actions. In transition, whose shot is it? The open player. If two defenders are on someone, whose shot is it? As a primary scorer, you must make the right play. It’s crucial for everyone to be willing to sacrifice.”
“The team’s success must come first. What benefits our team the most? What gives us the best chance to win? That’s what should be on everyone’s mind. They shouldn’t focus on who’s doing what; that’s not how this game operates. If you truly care about winning, those individual concerns should be irrelevant.”
A reporter noted that Anunoby spent more time standing in the corner during lineups with Brunson, who was anticipated to start Sunday against the Suns after a 15-game absence due to injury.
This comment further irritated the coach.
“That idea is nonsense. He’s constantly moving around the floor; that’s how he scores. Everyone is scoring like that,” Thibodeau responded. “So, if there’s a drive and then a pass, who should be in the corner? It’s about drive-and-kick, and if you’re cutting and moving without the ball, which you should be doing, right? When pushing the ball, your first duty is to create pace.”
“Your second duty is to generate movement. Everyone needs to read the player in front of them. If you see that person cut, you replace the spot in front. That’s how this game operates; it’s a lot of excuse-making, and that’s how I perceive it.”
Typically, Thibodeau spoke generally without naming any players. However, a reasonable interpretation of his passionate response signifies that he expects Anunoby to score in transition while yielding half-court chances but staying active and engaged without the ball. As Thibodeau has reiterated countless times since taking over the Knicks in 2020, ‘The game tells you what to do.’
And more often than not, Brunson is in the right position to provide those answers.
According to NBA.com, the point guard entered Sunday leading the Knicks with a usage rate of 29%. Meanwhile, Anunoby’s usage with Brunson fell to 18.1%, ranking him fourth among the starters.
Brunson also led in touches per game at 85.2, more than double Anunoby’s when they played together. The logic is simple: give the ball to the best player, Brunson.
However, in the 15 games before Sunday—during which Brunson was sidelined—Anunoby’s usage jumped nearly 6% to 23.9%. His ball touches increased from 42.4 per game with Brunson to 53.9 without him.
For clarity, Anunoby averaged 16.5 points on 13 shots with Brunson in the lineup. In his absence, Anunoby’s average increased to 23.2 points on 16.8 shots.
Mikal Bridges experienced a similar, though less drastic, change after Brunson’s injury.
But with Brunson back, as shown over the past two years, he is the Knicks’ best option for generating playoff points.
If an adjustment is necessary to accommodate Anunoby’s recent scoring surge, Thibodeau certainly preferred not to address it.