Knicks wing OG Anunoby “got robbed” of the 2025-26 NBA All-Defensive First Team, coach Mike Brown said Sunday in Cleveland during a Zoom with reporters.
“I got one more thing before I’m taking off — you guys can all print this,” Brown, who made the case in early April, said at the end of his media availability. “Great players out there — I’m not discounting anybody — but freakin’ OG got robbed. He should’ve been First Team All-Defense — First Team All-Defense. The versatility that he brings to this team, we’re a top five defensive team — top five defensive team. OK?
“The versatility that he brings — and everybody always says, ‘Oh, you got KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns), you got Jalen (Brunson), blah, blah, blah.’ The versatility that that guy brings to this team is off the charts, and I hope the voters get it next time around. I’m happy he’s Second Team — he deserves something — but it was wrong.”
“Freakin’ OG got robbed. He should’ve been First Team All-Defense. I hope the voters get it right next time around. It was wrong.”
Mike Brown ends his availability today by making the case for OG Anunoby to be First Team All-Defense đŁď¸ pic.twitter.com/Z0HSYCirhf
â SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) May 24, 2026
Before Brown’s statement, Anunoby said earlier in the video call that he was honored to be mentioned but “hoping” to make the First Team.
“It was cool to get the recognition, you know,” Anunoby said. “… Second Team is cool. I was hoping I got First Team — I thought I should’ve gotten First Team — but Second Team is just as good.”
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert got the nod for the First Team.
Anunoby made the cut for the Second Team with Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels, Thunder guard Cason Wallace, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.
“There’s a lot of great defenders in the league, so to be recognized as one of the 10 premier ones is really cool … now just focus on the rest of the playoffs,” Anunoby said.