Welcome to the Return of OG Anunoby: Knicks Fall to Bulls 108-100

It was a highly anticipated return for Knicks forward OG Anunoby as he took the court for the first time since March 16. However, despite his 12 points in 29 minutes, it wasn’t enough to secure a win for New York as they fell 108-100 to the Chicago Bulls.

After missing the past nine games due to discomfort in his right elbow, Anunoby was eager to get back on the court and make an impact. And while his return was a positive for the team, it was overshadowed by the loss.

But Anunoby’s presence on the court was felt, with Knicks guard Jalen Brunson expressing his happiness at having his teammate back in the lineup. “Obviously we didn’t win, so it clouds my judgment right now, but I’m just happy he’s healthy and out there,” Brunson said after the game.

The Knicks have a strong record of 15-3 when Anunoby plays, showcasing his importance to the team. However, he has only appeared in four games since January 27, making his return even more significant.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau praised Anunoby’s abilities, stating that he adds “length, wing defender, versatility offensively, the ability to shoot the ball and move without the ball.” And with the recent news of forward Julius Randle undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery, Anunoby’s return is even more crucial for the team.

But despite his return, the Knicks have dropped four of their past five games, highlighting the need for a boost in their lineup. Anunoby’s return couldn’t have come at a better time, as the team is currently the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference and just two games above the play-in tournament.

However, the game was not without its challenges for the Knicks, as they had to play most of it without Josh Hart, who was ejected in the first quarter for kicking Javonte Green in the head. The foul was deemed “unnecessary and excessive” and resulted in a flagrant foul 2 and automatic ejection.

Thibodeau was not pleased with the decision, stating that “our bargain for error is very tight right now” and that the team needs to be able to “get past any distractions.”

Summary:

Despite the return of OG Anunoby, the Knicks fell to the Bulls 108-100 in a highly anticipated game. Anunoby’s presence on the court was felt, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win for New York. With the recent news of Julius Randle’s season-ending surgery, Anunoby’s return is crucial for the team. However, the Knicks have dropped four of their past five games and will need to regroup in order to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference.