CLEVELAND — For the second straight year, and the third time in his career, OG Anunoby was recognized as one of the premier defensive players in the NBA.
The stalwart two-way wing was selected to the NBA’s all-defensive second team by a panel of 100 voters, it was announced Friday night.
OG Anunoby goes up for the rebound during the Knicks’ Game 2 win over the Cavaliers at the Garden. NBAE via Getty ImagesAnunoby has now made the second team three different times. Knicks coach Mike Brown and teammate Karl-Anthony Towns had said in recent weeks that Anunoby deserved to be a first-team selection.
“His versatility is just off the charts and you can do a lot of things with your defense because of him,” Brown said. “In my opinion, he deserves first-team all-defense this year — and hopefully the powers that be will see it that way, too.”
That didn’t happen.
The first team selections were Rudy Gobert of the Timberwolves, Chet Holmgren of the Thunder, Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs, Derrick White of the Celtics and Ausar Thompson of the Pistons. Anunoby received 11 first-team votes.
Kelly Oubre Jr. attempts to finish at the rim against OG Anunoby. Getty ImagesThe Knicks are two wins away from their first NBA Finals’ appearance in 27 years, and head to Cleveland with a chance to bury the Cavaliers.
But Mike Brown is concerned about one thing, the officiating.
- CHECK OUT THE LATEST NBA STANDINGS AND KNICKS STATS
“I don’t know what to do about the free-throw line. It was 22-6 in the second half,” the Knicks’ coach said after his team’s comfortable Game 2 victory. “We’ll go back and watch the film, and maybe we were fouling, but that’s a pretty big discrepancy when you’re talking about 22-to-6 in free throws.”
“Maybe we were fouling and they weren’t, I don’t know.”
Knicks Merch Shop
This premium commemorative plaque features the iconic front cover of the New York Post from the Knicks’ historic 2026 NBA Finals victory.
The walls of any true fan require this plaque of our back cover from June 14, 2026 featuring Brunson and the boys celebrating their win.
The “Our Team, Our Title” wrap from our June 15, 2026 print edition set behind acrylic plexiglass and framed in black ayous wood.
Grab a copy of our paper from June 14, 2026 celebrating this huge moment for Knicks fans and New York City as a whole.
OMG, indeed! This adjustable hat says what we were all thinking during this intense championship run.
Own this piece of history with our cover celebrating the Knicks’ sweep over the Cavs.
Knicker Bonkers chronicles the historic championship run that united NYC. Featuring NY Post analysis and vivid photos, relive the magic of MSG.
Overall, the Cavaliers attempted 18 more free throws, 32 to 14, than the Knicks in Game 2. In the series opener, the Knicks did get to the line more, 32 to 23.
The Cavaliers, it should be noted, rank second of the 16 teams to qualify for the playoffs in terms of free throws attempted at 28.8. Only the Nuggets (30.2) got to the line more.
Donovan Mitchell insisted he is healthy after Game 2, though his coach, Kenny Atkinson, felt he was “trying to work through it — probably some stiffness” in the first half of the Cavaliers’ loss.
“But I asked him if he wanted to come out in the fourth quarter and he’s like, ‘I’m fine,’ so I think he’s fine,” Atkinson said.
Asked on Thursday about his health, Mitchell said: “I’m great. Great. Great.”
The Knicks have held the opposition under 100 points six times in the playoffs. Of the teams remaining, the Spurs have done that five times and the Cavaliers and Thunder twice apiece.
According to the team, Knicks watch parties have raised more than $350,000 for Garden of Dreams, a charity for local youth in need. The Knicks will host another watch party at the Garden for Game 3 on Saturday night. Tickets are $10.
