Anunoby Fulfills His Promise to Guard Cunningham in Knicks' Triumph during Game 3

Detroit- OG Anunoby stood by his talk. He held Cade Cunningham in check in Game 1, but the Pistons' prodigy exploded for 33 points in Game 2, shooting 11-of-21 from the field.

Afterward, Anunoby admitted the Pistons made adjustments, some of which he deemed "illegal" in setting screen after screen to move him off Cunningham. He warned he and his teammates would counter with their own adjustments.

In the Knicks' thrilling 118-116 victory over the Pistons in Game 3, Anunoby showcased his grit by navigating all those screens with more success. When a screen proved too much, Mikal Bridges often switched onto him to lend a hand.

Coach Tom Thibodeau lavished praise on both Anunoby and Cunningham, calling the young guard "a great player"; one who "puts a lot of pressure on you."

Cunningham managed 24 points in Game 3 though on rough 10-of-25 shooting from the field. Despite that impressive scoring outing, Cunningham recorded a game-high six turnovers along with 11 assists.

In Game 2, Cunningham was dominating, constantly beating Anunoby and other Knicks defenders off the dribble. But in Game 3, the Knicks intensified their perimeter press and kept Cunningham in check, thwarting his drives and making him work harder for his points.

Thibodeau emphasized Anunoby's tenacity in stymieing the Pistons offense: "He's really disruptive." The coach also pinpointed Robinson's ball pressure as key to the team's defensive success.

Anunoby impressed on both ends of the floor, contributing 22 points on offense as well. Despite the Pistons' adjustments, he remained focused on their matchup and pledged to continue making adjustments with the help of team film sessions.

As the series continues, keep an eye on Anunoby and the Knicks as they seek to disrupt Detroit's offensive flow and contain Cunningham while keeping their own offense flowing smoothly.

Additional Insights:

While not explicitly stated in the available search results, it can be inferred that the Knicks' adaptive approach to defense against Cunningham focuses on:

On-ball Physicality: Anunoby's size (6'7", 232 lbs) is utilized to irritate Cunningham and deny him easy attempts.
Help Defenses: The Knicks will continue to aggressively send doubles and rotate defenders to take away passing lanes and force Cunningham to trigger their traps.
Transition Defense: The Knicks aim to limit Detroit's pace, closing driving lanes, and recovering swiftly in transition.
Flexible Rotations: The Knicks are prepared to adapt their defensive styles based on game situations and opposing player movements.

For the Latest in Knicks News:

Follow our coverage: Keep up with the Knicks' journey in the 2025 NBA Playoffs with regular updates, analysis, and expert insights.
Join the Conversation: Be the first to comment on the Knicks' performance and their battle against the Pistons.
Our Best Content: Become a Sports+ subscriber for exclusive content and join the Expert Take for behind-the-scenes insights into the series.

OG Anunoby, despite initially struggling to contain Cade Cunningham, showed resilience by navigating screens effectively in Game 3, with teammate Mikal Bridges offering assistance when necessary.
In the current series, Anunoby's tenacious defense, combined with the Knicks' adaptive approach to defense, aims to disrupt Detroit's offensive flow and limit the impact of Cunningham.
Anunoby and Cunningham have proven to be two of the standout players in the series so far, each posing challenges for the opposing defense.
As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see how Anunoby, Cunningham, and the rest of their respective teams navigate these challenges, with adjustments on both sides likely to play a crucial role in the outcome.