Anunoby's six steals and relentless defense fueled a Knicks' blowout win.
The New York Knicks rolled into Toronto on Wednesday night and walked away with a 119-92 victory over the Raptors, extending their winning streak to four games.
It was another impressive performance from a team that continues to find its rhythm under head coach Mike Brown, but it was the defensive effort of one player that truly caught his attention.
OG Anunoby put together a dominant two-way showing against his former team, and Brown was quick to praise him for what he did on that end of the floor.
"OG was our Defensive Player Of The Game. 6 steals, 7 deflections–those numbers are unheard of," Brown said. "He attacked the rim like a grown man."
A Dominant Night on Both Ends
Anunoby finished the game with 26 points on 11-of-18 shooting to go along with five assists and those six steals, which tied a season high.
His ability to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers set the tone for a second-half surge that saw the Knicks turn a 12-point deficit into a blowout win.
The defensive numbers Brown highlighted are rare for any player in the league, and they showed just how much Anunoby can take over a game without needing to dominate the ball on offense.
Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed a season-high 22 rebounds while Mikal Bridges led all scorers with 30 points, including 19 in the third quarter alone.
Jalen Brunson added 13 points as the Knicks won their 11th straight game against Toronto and improved to 29-18 on the season, good for third place in the Eastern Conference.
The Raptors dropped to 29-20 and sit fourth in the East.
OG Anunoby Continues to Shine
Anunoby has been a two-way force all season for the Knicks, and his stats back it up.
He is averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting efficiently from the field.
His steal numbers rank among the best in the league, and he continues to be one of the most versatile defenders in basketball with the ability to guard multiple positions.
Brown has been vocal about his belief that Anunoby deserves All-Star and even Defensive Player of the Year consideration this season.
The eight-year veteran has responded to that confidence by delivering consistent performances on both ends, and nights like Wednesday show why he is such an important piece for a Knicks team that has championship aspirations.
What's Next for the Knicks
With the win, New York continues to build momentum heading into the second half of the season.
The Knicks sit at 29-18 and have won four straight games after going through a rough patch earlier in January where they dropped five of six.
Brown's up-tempo system has brought new life to this roster, and players like Anunoby are thriving in it.
The team will now turn its attention to Friday's home matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden.
If Anunoby continues to perform the way he did against Toronto, the Knicks will be tough to beat.
His two-way ability makes him nearly impossible to game plan for, and when he is creating havoc on defense like he did Wednesday, good things tend to follow for New York.
Brown's praise for his forward was well-earned, and performances like this one are exactly why the Knicks believe they can compete for a championship this season.