OG Anunoby has picked up his play in the postseason. (NBA)
This week, two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 30 points and nine dimes while committing just one turnover to lead the Thunder past San Antonio to tie the WCF at a game apiece; the Spurs backcourt is getting thinned as both De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper are hurt; and OKC is not immune to the injury bug as Jalen Williams is hurt – again. Other Fantasy basketball stories we’re tracking include…
OG Anunoby Stepping Up
Just over a year ago, we were wondering whether the New York Knicks could finish off the Boston Celtics. As we now know, the answer was yes, before New York was dispatched by Indiana in six games in the Eastern Conference Final.
Flash forward to the present and the Knicks are coming off a 53-win season – amazingly, their fourth straight increased win total – and find themselves back in the Eastern Conference Finals as they seek their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1998-99.
Up 1-0 heading into Game Two vs. Cleveland on Thursday, it’s all about whether New York’s offense can continue to prop up a defense that’s not as good as Detroit’s, the Cavs last opponent.
As per usual, Jalen Brunson is leading the charge for the Knicks, but one player who has really stepped up his play from the regular season has been forward OG Anunoby.
Anunoby has dealt with his share of injury issues, missing eight games last season, and another 15 this season (plus two more in the playoffs). And health woes really seemed to affect him more this season as his touches dropped even as his board work was better.
But since the postseason has begun, Anunoby has been playing at a different level. He’s never shot it better, sending his scoring up nearly four points per game – despite fewer touches, especially from downtown. Even with a hamstring issue, he’s Mr. Efficiency right now (and can even dance… see video below).
Having said that, Anunoby had perhaps his worst game of the playoffs in the opener against Cleveland, sinking just 2-of-9 (1-of-6 from beyond the arc) for 13 points. His only saving grace was getting to the charity stripe 10 times and canning eight of them.
While Anunoby’s main value lies in his steals, he’s still a strong dynasty option – think top 65. Coming out of Indiana, defense was his calling card, but there were questions about other parts of his game, specifically if he’d be quick enough to be successful in the NBA.
Assuming Anunoby bounces back in Game Two, the Knicks should be in good shape to open up a two-game lead in the ECF. For what it’s worth, FanDuel odds project him to score between 15 (-128) and 20 (+265) points.
What’s Next for Draymond Green?
In March 2025, we noted how the Golden State Warriors had been unable to build on their fine showing from the previous season, or at least so it seemed. However, a 14-3 run over the next month and change altered that outlook as Dub City actually wound up increasing its dub total by two while not only returning to the playoffs, but going all the way to the Western Conference semis.
This season was a very different story as the Warriors gave back 11 wins for its worst showing since 2019-20 while getting knocked eliminated in the play-in, therefore missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
Is it time to lean into a rebuild? The good news is that Golden State owns its next seven first round picks (except 2030, which goes to Dallas if it’s not in the top 20), including No. 11 this year.
This is an aging team that has dealt with major health issues. In fact, things were so dire that Golden State used 43 different starting lineups.
That’s just one reason it will be interesting to see what career Warrior Draymond Green decided to do this summer. He has a $27.7M player option for 2026-27; will he exercise it, use it to try to get a longer term deal, or actually opt out and test the free agent market?
We know he remains a polarizing player who has been suspended multiple times, and continues to rack up techs like a fat man at an all you can eat buffet. Hell, Green got a double tech and the resulting ejection in the second play-in game, and if that was in fact his final appearance in a Warriors’ jersey, it’s somehow a fitting finish.
Now 36, he saw fewer minutes this season, so naturally, his bucket count dipped, along with his boards and assists. However, Green did manage a career best 1.5 treys per game, so it wasn’t all bad news.
Still, coming off a season in which be narrowly topped 25 Fantasy points per game (his lowest since 2013-14) he’s barely a top 175 dynasty option now. Having said that, there’s no denying what kind of impact Green has had over his career as he currently ranks 159th all-time in MVP shares. Love him or hate him, the dude has been a baller.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
Not to be confused with the country singer, this Tommy Collins released one single as a solo artist (“Oh What I’d Give”) and the B-side was “I Wanta Thank You.”