DENVER — After Michael Malone described the Knicks as one of many “elite” offensive groups within the NBA, they confirmed the championship-winning NBA coach why in an explosive show Monday evening at Ball Area.
The Knicks put each aspects of their sport collectively — and shared the ball to tie a franchise file with 45 assists — in simply their most spectacular win of the season, 145-118, over Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
OG Anunoby, who was signed to the richest contract in staff historical past over the summer season ($212.5 million), continued his November scoring binge with a career-high 40 factors on a scorching 16-for-23 from the ground, together with 5 of seven from 3-point vary.
“Just getting better each and every game. I’m sure it’s going to keep getting better,” stated Anunoby, who netted a earlier season-high 27 with seven made 3-pointers one sport earlier in Saturday’s loss to the Jazz. “[I am] just comfortable. … Just be ready to shoot and not turn down shots. And [I’m] hunting more.”
Thibodeau’s staff additionally bounced again from a poor defensive effort in Utah, but it surely was the Knicks’ high-octane offense that stood out once more.
They matched their most factors scored in a single half this season with 76 by means of the primary two quarters, and their 45 assists matched the franchise mark set in 1979.
Jalen Brunson notched 23 factors with a career-high 17 assists for the Knicks, who will proceed their five-game street journey Wednesday evening in Dallas. He grew to become the primary Knick since Nate Robinson in 2008-09 to achieve no less than 20 and 15 in these classes in the identical sport.
Karl-Anthony Cities remained within the lineup after being listed as questionable following a minus-34 displaying in Utah, and he completed with 30 factors with 15 rebounds for the Knicks (10-7).
Jokic, the three-time MVP who’s averaging a triple-double for the season, was largely guarded by Cities and was held to 22 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists in 32 minutes for the Nuggets (9-7).
“He’s an incredible player, obviously. His record speaks for itself,” Thibodeau stated. “What he’s doing is really impressive. He just keeps getting better and better every year. That’s a testament to the work he puts into the game.”
In flip, Malone complimented Thibodeau, noting that the Knicks have been an “elite” offensive staff this season.
“For all the Tom Thibodeau haters out there who say he doesn’t coach offense, you just have to really appreciate their team,” Malone stated. “As a result of offensively they’re elite.
“I think in just about every offensive category they’re top-5. Field goal, 3-point, free throw, offensive efficiency, this team has a lot of weapons. They are very efficient in everything they do.”
In a reversal for Thibodeau-coached squads, the Knicks have struggled on the different finish of the courtroom thus far this season, getting into the sport twenty first within the NBA in defensive ranking.
Anunoby, who got here in averaging 20.0 factors in November, drilled his first 4 photographs (together with two 3s) and scored 12 factors within the first quarter.
Jokic had 13 for the Nuggets, however Brunson additionally netted 12 for a 36-24 Knicks benefit by means of one. The Knicks shot a scorching 68.6 p.c from the sector (16-for-23), whereas holding Denver to 39.1 p.c (9-for-23) for the interval.
Cities drained a 3-pointer and down-the-lane dunk early within the second, and his second trey prolonged the cushion to 21 lower than three minutes into the quarter.
Cities principally guarded Jokic, however Anunoby later rejected the six-time All-Star and went the space for a layup. He additionally collected an extended feed from Josh Hart off a steal for an uncontested dunk to achieve 20 factors earlier than halftime because the Knicks cruised into intermission forward, 76-53, matching their highest scoring half of the season.
Anunoby broke free for 2 extra dunks early within the third to push the result in 26, and the Nuggets by no means bought nearer than 17 thereafter.
Anunoby, whose earlier career-high was a 36-point effort for the Raptors towards the Knicks in 2021, set a brand new private mark with two extra 3-pointers late within the session for a 113-87 lead getting into the ultimate quarter.
