These stats and facts prove why OG Anunoby is the most important on the Knicks

These stats and facts prove why OG Anunoby is the most important on the Knicks originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The New York Knicks are up 2-0 against the Philadelphia 76ers in their second-round series, with Game 3 taking place on Friday.

In Game 2, the Knicks squeezed out a tight one after winning their last four playoff games rather comfortably, as the 76ers were without Joel Embiid, a huge part of their team. However, after injuring his hamstring late in the fourth quarter of that game, the Knicks could likely be without OG Anunoby, a major ingredient to their success, as he could be out both Games 3 and 4 as the series shifts to Philadelphia. More : Knicks balancing caution and urgency with OG Anunoby injury Anunoby is the most important player to the Knicks, and it's not just in the team's style of play; the stats prove it.

Everybody needs an OG, including the New York Knicks The forward has been a +118 through the eight playoff games the Knicks have played, tied for the most this postseason, including a record +42 in the 51-point win over the Atlanta Hawks . Not to mention, the NBA champion is averaging the second-most points on the team this postseason with 21. 4 on 62-54-81 shooting splits, while taking the responsibility of guarding the opposing team's best scorers.

In 2024, when Anunoby was dealing with a hamstring injury in the conference semis against the Indiana Pacers , it ultimately cost them the series, as they lost in seven games. Although the team is different from what it was two seasons ago, the Knicks will always feel the difficulty of not having Anunoby on the floor. While Embiid is undoubtedly important to the 76ers, if Anunoby's absence is extended to the remainder of the series, it may be too much for the Knicks to overcome.