The New York Knicks put on a masterclass Saturday night in Cleveland, blowing out the Cavaliers 121-108 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jalen Brunson dropped 30 points, going 10 of 19 from the field and 10 of 12 from the line, while Mikal Bridges torched the Cavs on 11 of 15 shooting for 22 points.
OG Anunoby added 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, shot 60% from the floor, 75% from three, and a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.
But the most important stat from the weekend had nothing to do with Saturday night.
Just hours ahead of Friday’s Western Conference Finals matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, the NBA announced the All-Defensive teams for the 2025-26 season.
The first team was headlined by Victor Wembanyama alongside Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert, and Derrick White.
Anunoby, meanwhile, landed ninth in total voting with 67 points, including 11 first-place votes and 45 second-place votes, earning a spot on the second team alongside Scottie Barnes, Cason Wallace, Bam Adebayo, and Dyson Daniels.
After Game 3 on Saturday, Knicks head coach Mike Brown stepped up and called out the voters for what he clearly viewed as the biggest snub of the night.
“Freakin’ OG got robbed. He should’ve been first team all defense … The versatility that guy brings to this team is off the charts, and I hope the voters get it right next time around. I’m happy he’s on the second team. He deserves something, but it was wrong.”
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Anunoby had one of the best two-way seasons of his career in 2025-26. He averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game while playing in 67 games.
He finished tied for 3rd in the NBA in steals per game, and was one of only three players in the league to average more than 0.6 blocks per game alongside that steal rate, joining Ausar Thompson and Tyrese Maxey.
Anunoby also posted a 3.2 Defensive Win Share, his highest since 3.7 back in 2021-22, and even received votes for Defensive Player of the Year, the sport’s top defensive honor.
Considering how dominant he was across the board, it’s remarkable that this is only the second time in his career he’s made an All-Defensive team.
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Anunoby has spent years doing the dirty work and has been one of the most important and versatile defenders in the Eastern Conference for half a decade, and the voters still can’t quite find him.
Looking ahead, Brown’s comments will add a little extra edge to this already-dangerous Knicks team heading into a potential closeout Game 4 Monday in Cleveland.
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