Knicks Dominate Cavaliers, Anunoby’s Defensive Snub Sparks Controversy

The New York Knicks showcased exceptional performance in Cleveland on Saturday night, defeating the Cavaliers 121-108. This victory secured the Knicks a substantial 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jalen Brunson made a significant contribution, scoring 30 points. His shooting was impressive, converting 10 of 19 shots from the field and 10 of 12 from the free-throw line. Mikal Bridges also played decisively, scoring 22 points with an 11 of 15 shooting record.

OG Anunoby added 21 points, collected seven rebounds, and handed out four assists. His shooting stats were remarkable, hitting 60% from the field, 75% from three-point range, and being perfect at the free-throw line with a 6-for-6 performance.

In other news, the NBA announced the All-Defensive teams for the 2025-26 season just before Friday’s Western Conference Finals game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. The first team featured talents like Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert, and Derrick White.

OG Anunoby was placed on the second team, ranking ninth in voting with 67 points, including 11 first-place votes. Joining him on the second team were Scottie Barnes, Cason Wallace, Bam Adebayo, and Dyson Daniels. Knicks head coach Mike Brown expressed his discontent regarding the voting, emphasizing Anunoby’s exceptional versatility and contribution. “Freakin’ OG got robbed. He should’ve been first team all defense,” Brown insisted.

Anunoby’s 2025-26 season was one of his best, excelling in both offense and defense. He averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. His defensive prowess included 1.7 steals per game, ranking third in the NBA, with a noteworthy 0.6 blocks per game. His Defensive Win Share reached 3.2, marking his second-highest since 2021-22.

Despite his achievements, this is only the second time Anunoby has made an All-Defensive team. Adding to his accomplishments, he also received votes for Defensive Player of the Year.

As the Knicks look forward to possibly concluding the series in Game 4 on Monday in Cleveland, Mike Brown’s comments about Anunoby’s snub are likely to fuel an already determined Knicks team.