Knicks’ Anunoby Ignored for Defensive Player of the Year Award

NEW YORK, NY — After a standout Game 2 performance, the New York Knicks’ strong defense limited the Boston Celtics to just 90 points, with a shooting percentage of 36.2%. Veteran forward P.J. Tucker expressed his disbelief that teammate OG Anunoby was overlooked by the Defensive Player of the Year voters this spring.

“OG’s been off the charts. I don’t know how he didn’t win Defensive Player of the Year,” Tucker told reporters. “I think he’s the best two-way player in the league. He’s always played defense, but this year offensively he’s taken it up another notch. I don’t think we ran one play for him in Game 1, and he had 30 points. He’s the Defensive Player of the Year, no doubt.”

This year, Anunoby didn’t appear on any of the Defensive Player of the Year ballots, despite his impressive statistics. The Knicks, who finished the regular season ranked 13th in defensive rating, have significantly improved their performance during the postseason, now ranking fourth.

While many fans echoed Tucker’s thoughts, others pointed out that Anunoby wasn’t the top defender during the regular season. Comments on social media highlighted the contrasting views regarding Anunoby’s qualifications for the award.

Analytics shared by Kirk Goldsberry indicate that the Celtics are struggling when Anunoby is on defense, hitting only five of their 29 shot attempts against him in this series.

While the Knicks continue to prove themselves in the playoffs with a strong defensive showing, discussions around free agency are heating up. Malik Beasley is likely to return, but Tim Hardaway Jr. could explore other options. The draft lottery also looms, with the Knicks eyeing potential players who could elevate their team.

With Game 3 on the horizon, the tension rises as the Knicks prepare to defend home court. Fans expect a fierce battle as both teams vie for vital playoff momentum.