Mike Brown picked up a win in his first game as Head Coach of the New York Knicks, getting his tenure off to the perfect start at Madison Square Garden.
OG Anunoby played a key role in the Knicks’ victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, finishing with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while the team pulled away late to secure the result.
The result is even more impressive when you consider that New York was still recovering from Malcolm Brogdon’s sudden retirement earlier in the week. Brogdon, an ex-Sixth Man of the Year, was supposed to play a big role off the bench this year.
With no time to bring in a replacement before opening night, Brown had to turn to his existing bench options. One player made an immediate impact and showed he could help fill that gap moving forward.
Why Miles McBride matters more than ever for the New York Knicks
This season holds a lot of significance for Miles McBride. During the summer, his name came up in trade talks as the Knicks explored ways to strengthen their roster. After what he delivered in their season opener, it is clear they made the right call keeping him.
Brown gave him 25 minutes off the bench, and McBride responded with 15 points, including four three-pointers. He also finished with the highest plus-minus on the team in what ended up being a 119-111 victory.
The steady improvement he has shown throughout his career continued last season, when he averaged a career-high 9.5 points per game, increasing each year since being drafted in 2021.
With Brogdon now out of the picture, McBride has plenty of room to grow into a bigger role this year.
OG Anunoby steps up early for New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns did not lead the charge in the Knicks’ season opener. Instead, it was OG Anunoby who set the tone with a strong performance to kick off his year.
Anunoby, traded to New York in 2023, has settled in well as a reliable role player. He averaged 18 points per game last season while also providing top-level wing defence.
This summer, the Knicks made a push for Giannis Antetokounmpo amid reports he might leave Milwaukee. They were hoping to add star power to an already talented group by bringing in ‘The Greek Freak’.
That deal did not happen, but Anunoby’s early play suggests he could fill that third star role next to Brunson and Towns.
The Knicks leaned on his defensive abilities during last year’s playoffs, but this time around, he made an impact at both ends of the court right from the start.
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