There may not be a team in the NBA that has as strong an identity as the New York Knicks. When you face them, you know exactly what they’re bringing to the table in terms of game plan and level of effort.
Coach Tom Thibodeau has prepared them more than any other team in the NBA. No matter what obstacle is thrown at them, they have something in place to counter whatever the other teams are doing.
This level of preparation and commitment in the regular season has allowed New York to prepare for the rigors of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. While other teams may not be ready to play extra minutes, the Knicks thrive in crucial moments.
In the series against the Philadelphia 76ers, a different player stepped up each night. The Knicks are ahead 3-1 as they have received contributions from every player who takes the court. In Game 4, it was Precious Achiuwa and OG Anunoby’s time to shine.
One of the keys to the series for New York was the ability to contain the 76ers’ star duo of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. That was easier said than done, as Embiid scored 50 in Game 3, leading the 76ers to victory.
A major reason for that explosion was the absence of Mitchell Robinson. Robinson hurt his right ankle early in Game 3 after some dirty play by Embiid. Without him, Thibodeau turned to Achiuwa to fill his role in the lineup.
All eyes were on Achiuwa when Isaiah Hartenstein committed his fifth foul of the game with 1:25 left in the third quarter. He responded in a big way, combining with Anunoby to shut down Embiid in the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Embiid shot 0-for-5 from the field with his only point coming from the foul line. He only grabbed one rebound with one assist while Achiuwa and Anunboy wiped him out of the game.