The New York Knicks didn’t just close out their first-round series in dominant fashion; they did it in a way that had fans jokingly crediting an unexpected source: Anne Hathaway.
The buzz started before Game 6, when Hathaway appeared on The Tonight Show and mentioned she had “considered wearing an OG [Anunoby] jersey” because she “wants them to know that I know who they are” and “that they’re going to win.” It was a passing comment, but by the next night, it had taken on a life of its own.
OG followed that moment with one of his most impactful outings of the postseason, pouring in 29 points and making plays all over the floor as the Knicks overwhelmed the Atlanta Hawks in a 140-89 win. The timing didn’t go unnoticed online, as fans quickly ran with the idea that Hathaway’s shoutout somehow flipped a switch.
“Thank you Anne Hathaway for unlocking the demon inside of OG Anunoby,” one fan wrote on social media.
Another added, “Huge Thank You to Anne Hathaway for turning OG Anunoby into a god.”
Hathaway, who has long been a fixture courtside at Madison Square Garden, leaned into the Knicks connection during her appearance, even incorporating the team’s signature colors into her outfit while promoting her upcoming film, The Devil Wears Prada 2.
New York’s 51-point margin marked the largest playoff victory in franchise history, with contributions coming across the roster. Karl-Anthony Towns [who, it turns out, makes a cameo in DWP2] continued his all-around impact, notching a triple-double, while Mikal Bridges chipped in 24 points.
Still, it was Anunoby’s performance, and the coincidental timing with Hathaway’s comment, that became the talking point. During a game last year, Anunoby nearly collided with Hathaway while she was sitting courtside, a moment she later laughed about publicly.
