‘I just fight as hard as I can’: OG Anunoby wanted the Joel Embiid matchup, put on the defensive clamps and now has the Knicks in position to advance

Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid put on a show in Game Three against the New York Knicks, drawing one game closer to tying the series. But, on Sunday — it was night and day different for Embiid and the reason for it was the play of OG Anunoby.

After finishing with 50 points on 13-of-19 from the field in Game Three, Embiid followed it up with just 27 points on 7-of-19 shooting in the Knicks’ Game Four 97-92 win.

Despite giving up six inches and 45 pounds, OG Anunoby put the clamps on the 7-foot-1 Embiid, ultimately leading to a massive win for the Knicks to tilt the series to 3-1.

“I just fight as hard as I can,” Anunoby said after the win. “He’s a great player. He’s going to score. He has ways to counter our stuff, too. He’s seen everything I’m sure. He knows how to go against it too. I just do the best I can too.”

While Anunoby has always been known for he defensive ability — it has largely been on the perimeter, not the main defender in the paint. Definitely not against a player of Embiid’s size and skill.

But, that ‘fight’ from Anunoby held Embiid to just three points — all on free throws — in the final 13:35 of the game. Anunoby was placed on Embiid following the fifth foul for Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein.

It was a responsibility that OG Anunoby wanted.

“OG was like, ‘I want that matchup’, and he did a good job on him,” Knicks guard Josh Hart said.

“(Joel) Embiid, he’s a great player,” Anunoby added. “I just tried to make the shots as difficult as possible. Just make him as uncomfortable as possible. He’s a great player so he’s going to score. So just finding ways to make him less efficient.”

It was a welcomed sign, and needed, after Embiid totaled 84 points and 52.1 percent (25-of-48) in Games two and three combined.

Anunoby guarded Embiid on the perimeter, straight up on the block and even fronted him at times, never letting the reigning-MVP get comfortable.

In the fourth quarter alone, Embiid had just one point on 0-of-3 from the field and one rebound.

“OG can obviously guard,” 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said. “It’s that and the scheme as well. When he (Embiid) caught it, they were getting it out of his hands (quickly).”

“OG is — we knew today it was not only just his individual defense, but it was the rebounding that went along with that,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau added. “And that was huge for us.”

The 6-foot-7 Anunoby played 47 minutes — a game-high. He finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.

His 47 minutes were a career-high for a non-overtime game.

“I’ve always taken a lot of pride in that,” Anunoby said of his motor.

The Knicks, who traded for OG Anunoby at the trade deadline, are now 23-4 when he’s in the lineup. Since he arrived in New York, Anunoby is averaging 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 block per game.

The Knicks can close out the series on Tuesday night back in Madison Square Garden.

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