As the OG Anunoby prepares for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, the focus inside the New York locker room has remained on consistency, structure, and execution during the championship run against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals.
The Knicks forward described the team’s internal state in simple terms when asked about the current level of focus during the playoff stretch. “It starts in our film, our practices, the way we talk with our coaches. We’re just everyone’s on the same page, locked in, dialed in, focused on the same goal, and just taking it day by day.”
He added that the momentum is not just visible in games but felt in daily preparation. “Yeah, you can feel it. You can see it. Everyone’s just dialed in right now.”
Much of the discussion heading into Game 3 has centered on containing Jalen Brunson, who has delivered key late-game scoring despite uneven shooting stretches. Anunoby credited the guard’s consistency under pressure. “Just he’s got a lot of counters. He’s relentless. Doesn’t matter if he’s missing shots or making shots, he’s always the same way, always composed and poised and always aggressive.”
The challenge for New York has also involved preparing for the unique physical profile of Victor Wembanyama. Asked about the opposing star, Anunoby kept his assessment direct. “I mean, the usual. Aggressive, talented, relentless. The usual Wemby.”
With the series shifting to Game 3 at MSG, attention has also turned to the environment awaiting both teams. “Oh, just the fans. I know it’s going to be crazy. They’re always behind us, always rowdy and excited, and I know it’s just going to be really cool.”
Anunoby also addressed the broader atmosphere surrounding the city during the Finals run, noting how external attention is handled internally. “To be honest, I’m not doing too much walking around the city right now. It’s cool. But for me, I try to be as far removed from that as possible just mentally.”
He expanded on that approach, explaining how distraction is managed during a title chase. “Because if you walk around a city or you go to different places and people are singing your praises and doing all that, it’s very easy to get complacent and to listen to those things and start feeling good and then you start relaxing.”
The forward also referenced a personal approach to avoiding outside noise. “Even if I go to dinner, I’m going to try to go into a private room or something so I don’t have to be around that because you want to make sure you’re as focused and locked in on the goal at hand.”
Asked about outside events and celebrity presence around the series, Anunoby maintained a steady tone. “I think he’ll just be there watching the game. We’re going to go as usual, just play our game, try to win the game.”
