Knicks star wings OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges have Game 5 nights to forget

BOSTON — The Knicks faced a setback in their playoff game against the Celtics, with OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges failing to perform as expected.

Despite the Knicks’ strategic acquisition of Anunoby and Bridges to counter the Celtics, the duo struggled in the Knicks’ 127-102 Game 5 loss at TD Garden.

Together, they only managed to score 15 points, shooting a dismal 5-for-26 from the field. Anunoby had a particularly rough night, going 1-for-12 in shooting.

Both Coach Tom Thibodeau and Bridges attributed their offensive struggles to defensive lapses, which hindered their transition opportunities and ability to push the pace.

Thibodeau emphasized the need for defensive stops to create scoring opportunities, while Bridges acknowledged the team’s focus on improving their defensive performance.

While Bridges has had strong fourth quarters in previous playoff games, Anunoby has struggled with inconsistency, especially considering his lucrative contract with the franchise. This game marked the third time in the series that Anunoby scored six or fewer points, shooting a poor 4-for-27 from the field in those games.

Furthermore, Anunoby had difficulty containing Jaylen Brown, who scored 26 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the field.

Although Bridges started strong with seven points in the first quarter, he struggled to maintain his performance, scoring only two points for the remainder of the game and missing several shots. His performance was also reflected in his team-worst plus-minus of -25.

As the series comes to a close, the Knicks will need Anunoby and Bridges to step up their game to secure a victory.