New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Buddy Hield, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
NEW YORK (AP) — Josh Hart had 20 points, 19 rebounds, and 10 assists in his fourth triple-double of the season, OG Anunoby scored 14 points in his return from an 18-game absence and the New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 106-79 on Tuesday night.
Jalen Brunson added 20 points and nine assists for the Knicks, who finally got one of their injured starters back and looked nothing like the team that was held to an NBA season-low 73 points in a loss to the 76ers on Sunday.
“I think we played to our strengths,” Hart said. “I think we played faster. We took care of the ball. We rebounded the ball. We cut, we moved, we got good shots.”
Anunoby hadn’t played since Jan. 27 because of a right elbow injury that required surgery. New York is still playing without All-Star Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson because of injuries but has held its opponent below 80 points in three straight games for the first time since the 2000-01 season.
The Knicks improved to 13-2 in games that Anunoby has played in after acquiring him from Toronto in a Dec. 30 trade.
The Madison Square Garden crowd greeted him with a rousing ovation after he was introduced with the starting lineup and Anunoby drew louder cheers when he threw down a thunderous dunk after stealing the ball from Buddy Hield late in the third quarter.
“It felt great. It’s been a while,” Anunoby said. “Missed playing here, missed the fans, missed my teammates.”
Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points and Tyrese Maxey had 17 after missing the previous four games because of a concussion.
“I felt pretty good. I was definitely tired when I came out the first time, my wind,” said Maxey, who played 27 minutes. “It’s kind of difficult because only so…
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