OG Returned the Favor: Anunoby's Opening Night Photo Dump Puts Anne Hathaway in His Jersey Front and Center

What Happened

OG Anunoby put Anne Hathaway in the final slide of his Opening Night Instagram photo dump — a photo of Hathaway laughing on The Tonight Show wearing his blue No. 8 New York Knicks jersey, the signed jersey he gave her. The quiet Knicks forward posted it hours before New York's ring night against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, October 20, and fans immediately made it the wholesome viral moment of opening day.

Anunoby rarely says much in public, which is exactly why the post landed. Hathaway has cheered for him louder than almost anyone in New York for two years. This time, he returned the favor — placing her photo right alongside his own memories from the Knicks' championship summer.

How the OG Anunoby and Anne Hathaway Bond Started

It started with a loose ball on November 13, 2024. Anunoby chased it into the front row at Madison Square Garden and nearly crashed into Hathaway and her youngest son, Jack, knocking popcorn everywhere. Hathaway was not upset — she called it a "bucket-list moment" on Instagram. Anunoby replied with two words: "You're welcome."

From there, Hathaway became the Knicks' most famous good-luck charm. In April 2026, she told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show that she had almost worn an Anunoby jersey on the show, explaining that she tries to be a gentle, motherly fan who wants the players to know she believes they will win. Anunoby responded on the court the next night with 29 points — a team high — in a 51-point, series-clinching win over the Atlanta Hawks, and he averaged 23.5 points per game in the games that followed her shoutout.

The Photo in the Dump, Explained

The picture Anunoby shared comes from Hathaway's September 30, 2026 visit to The Tonight Show. Fallon surprised her with a jersey signed by Anunoby, and she pulled it on over her dress and kept it on. The Knicks also sent a basket of baby gifts, with a card from Anunoby congratulating her on her pregnancy.

That same night, Fallon asked her to choose between a second Oscar and another Knicks title. She picked the Knicks. When her co-star Dakota Johnson later asked on Hot Ones Versus whether Anunoby was even a real person, Hathaway defended him instantly: "One of the greatest baskets ever scored by a player is OG Anunoby" — a nod to his Game 4 NBA Finals tip-in that won the game for New York.

Why It's Blowing Up

Timing is everything. Tonight the Knicks raise their first championship banner in 53 years and receive their rings, with LeBron James and the new-look 76ers watching from the visiting side. Anunoby, who won that Finals Game 4 with his iconic tip-in, chose that morning to spotlight the fan who believed in him before the title run — and fans read it as the most OG move possible: no caption needed, no speech, just one photo in a dump.

It also completes a two-year arc fans have followed like a storyline: loose ball, popcorn, a two-word reply, a Tonight Show jersey, a Finals game-winner, and now a ring-night tribute. Every step was public, and every step made the next one bigger.

What's Next

Anunoby gets his championship ring tonight before tip-off against Philadelphia. The open question fans are joking about online is simple: will Hathaway be in the building at the Garden to see it? Either way, her photo is already part of ring night — Anunoby made sure of that before the banner even went up.

Key Facts

• Anunoby included Hathaway — wearing his blue No. 8 jersey — in his Opening Night Instagram photo dump on October 20, 2026.
• The photo is from Hathaway's September 30 Tonight Show visit, where Fallon surprised her with Anunoby's signed jersey and the Knicks sent baby gifts with his congratulatory card.
• Their bond began November 13, 2024, when Anunoby nearly crashed into Hathaway and her son chasing a loose ball; she called it a bucket-list moment.
• After Hathaway's April 2026 Tonight Show shoutout, Anunoby scored 29 points in a 51-point series-clinching win over Atlanta.
• The Knicks host the 76ers tonight at Madison Square Garden for banner and ring night.

Sources: ClutchPoints, Heavy, Yardbarker

FAQ

What did OG Anunoby post about Anne Hathaway?

He included a photo of Hathaway wearing his signed blue No. 8 Knicks jersey on The Tonight Show as the final slide of his Opening Night Instagram photo dump.

Why is Anne Hathaway associated with OG Anunoby?

Their bond began in November 2024 when Anunoby nearly crashed into Hathaway courtside chasing a loose ball; she called it a bucket-list moment and became his most vocal celebrity fan.

When did Hathaway wear Anunoby's jersey on TV?

On September 30, 2026, Jimmy Fallon surprised her with the signed jersey on The Tonight Show, and she put it on over her dress for the interview.

What happens at the Knicks game tonight?

New York raises its championship banner and receives its rings before hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on opening night, October 20, 2026.