Knicks Coach Mike Brown Calls Out OG Anunoby's All-Defense Snub

New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby earned NBA All-Defense Second Team honors earlier this week. But according to head coach Mike Brown, the versatile two-way player deserved to land a spot on the league’s first team.

Brown ended his media availability on Sunday with a strong callout directed toward NBA voters.

“You guys can all print this,” Brown told reporters. “Great players [on the first team]. I’m not discounting anybody, but freaking OG got robbed. He should have been First Team All-Defense.”

“The versatility that he brings to this team - we’re a top-five defensive team,” Brown continued. “The versatility that that guy brings to this team is off the charts. And I hope the voters get it right next time around.”

More Basketball:Karl-Anthony Towns Beams While Discussing Jalen Brunson's Knicks Legacy

The first team featured Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, Rudy Gobert and Derrick White. Anunoby landed on the second team alongside Cason Wallace, Bam Adebayo, Dyson Daniels and Scottie Barnes.

This isn’t the first time Brown has gone to bat for Anunoby. He shared a similar sentiment about his player’s defensive impact back in April.

"His versatility is just off the charts and you can do a lot of things with your defense because of him," Brown said. "In my opinion, he deserves first-team all-defense this year - and hopefully the powers that be will see it that way, too."

More Basketball:Karl-Anthony Towns Calls Out NBA Voters Over OG Anunoby Decision

The Knicks can closeout of the Cleveland Cavaliers with a series sweep in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Monday night.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 2:11 PM.