Anshari Taslim
NEW YORK – OG Anunoby delivered one of the most memorable plays in New York Knicks history on Wednesday night, executing a game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining to secure a pivotal victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals. The dramatic finish saw the Knicks overcome a 29-point deficit, marking the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, and placed them on the precipice of their first championship in 53 years, holding a commanding 3-1 series lead.
The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden had been charged with anticipation, a palpable excitement for a potential sweep that quickly dissipated as the San Antonio Spurs dominated the early proceedings. The Spurs established a formidable 29-point lead, threatening to reclaim home-court advantage and re-establish themselves as favorites in the series. However, the narrative shifted dramatically in the second half, catalyzed by a relentless New York comeback that culminated in Anunoby’s defining moments.
The monumental turnaround began with concerted efforts from the Knicks’ core. Guard Jalen Brunson and forward Karl-Anthony Towns, who have consistently led the team throughout the season, spearheaded the initial surge. Their combined offensive prowess, alongside Anunoby, methodically chipped away at the Spurs’ lead. Five consecutive points from Brunson and Anunoby reduced the once-insurmountable deficit to just four points with 4:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. The momentum continued to build as midseason acquisition and native New Yorker Jose Alvarado contributed two critical baskets, further fueling the rally. Brunson then provided the Knicks’ first lead of the game with 1:22 left, setting the stage for Anunoby’s late-game heroics.
With the game hanging in the balance, Anunoby’s impact became undeniable on both ends of the floor. First, he executed a crucial chase-down block on Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, preventing what appeared to be an uncontested layup on a loose ball. This defensive stop preserved the Knicks’ slim advantage and underscored Anunoby’s reputation as a premier two-way player. Just 9.9 seconds later, following a deep three-point attempt by Brunson that bounced off the front rim and hung momentarily in the air, Anunoby, having inbounded the ball 35 feet away, sprinted into the paint. With outstretched arm, he tipped the ball through the hoop, igniting an explosion of sound from nearly 20,000 fans in Madison Square Garden and reverberating across New York City.
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The tip-in, which stood as Anunoby’s lone offensive rebound of the contest, registered as the third-latest game-winning bucket ever recorded in the NBA Finals. The play immediately drew comparisons to iconic moments in sports history, with Karl-Anthony Towns famously dubbing it the "Right Hand From God." The gravity of Anunoby’s contribution was not lost on his teammates or coaching staff.
Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown revealed his challenge to Anunoby before the game. "I challenged a lot of our guys today. OG was one of the guys that I challenged," Brown stated post-game. "I told OG, as big, as strong, as athletic as he is, he’s got to be a monster on the offensive glass tonight. I don’t know if there’s a play bigger than any other play in the history of Knicks basketball. That was a huge offensive rebound. Huge offensive rebound. He took on the challenge, and he went and won the game for us doing exactly what I called him out for during shootaround today."
Anunoby, known for his reserved demeanor and dry wit, downplayed the significance of his pivotal performance. When asked about his reaction to the game-winning basket and the historic comeback, he calmly replied, "It feels cool. I mean, everyone’s pretty excited." This understated response stands in stark contrast to the widespread jubilation felt by millions of Knicks supporters worldwide.
Anunoby’s journey with the Knicks has seen him evolve from an elite defender to a comprehensive two-way threat. For years, he has been recognized as one of the league’s top defensive players, though his omission from the NBA All-Defensive First Team this season, instead receiving Second Team honors, sparked considerable debate within the Knicks’ locker room. Since joining the franchise, Anunoby has demonstrably expanded his offensive repertoire, consistently delivering clutch performances. Towns, a key figure for the Knicks, confidently asserted, "OG has become the best two-way player in the NBA," a claim that gained considerable traction following his Game 4 display.
Statistically, Anunoby’s performance in Game 4 was exceptional, marking one of the most efficient second-half showings in championship series history. He drained 7 of 9 three-point attempts and converted the game-winning field goal. Over the final 23:04 of play, Anunoby was flawless from the field, hitting 8 of 8 shots, including 5 of 5 from beyond the arc. His combined block and game-winning shot within the final 24 seconds of an NBA Finals game mirrored a feat last achieved by Michael Jordan for the Chicago Bulls in 1998. He also became only the second player in the last 30 NBA Finals to make five or more three-pointers without a miss in the second half, an exclusive list that previously only included Jae Crowder, who achieved the mark in a losing effort for the Phoenix Suns in 2021.
This recent excellence is not an isolated incident. Anunoby’s consecutive standout performances have made him just the fifth player in NBA history to record 25-plus points on 65% shooting in back-to-back NBA Finals games. In Game 3, he tallied 28 points on 9 of 13 shooting, followed by his 33-point effort in Game 4. His shooting efficiency from beyond the arc throughout the 2026 playoffs has been remarkable, with Anunoby hitting 43 of 85 three-point attempts for a 50.6% clip. Among the 268 NBA players who have attempted 85 or more three-pointers in a single postseason, no one has achieved a higher percentage, including perennial sharpshooters like Stephen Curry. In these NBA Finals, he is shooting an impressive 55.6% from downtown.
The acquisition of Anunoby in the middle of the 2023-24 season, in a trade that sent promising young talents RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to another team, initially raised questions among some observers regarding team president Leon Rose’s strategy. However, Anunoby’s consistent high-level performance and his capacity for clutch play have unequivocally validated Rose’s decision, proving his foresight in securing a multitalented wing capable of alleviating defensive pressure on Brunson and bolstering the team’s overall capabilities.
Jalen Brunson, the Knicks’ team captain, underscored Anunoby’s integral role, recognizing him as a vital component of the team’s leadership triumvirate alongside Towns. "OG is someone who brings it every night, does what’s asked of him, plus more, every single night," Brunson affirmed. "His work ethic, since the moment I’ve been teammates with him and seen him, has grown. His confidence has grown just because of his work ethic, everything that I’ve seen, he’s got exponentially better at. So, regardless of what the outside world thinks of him, we know what we have in our locker room, and we have a superstar in that locker room."
With the series now standing at 3-1, the New York Knicks require just one more victory to secure their first NBA championship since the 1973 team. Game 5 is scheduled to be played at Madison Square Garden, offering the Knicks a prime opportunity to close out the series in front of their home crowd. The Spurs face the daunting task of regrouping and attempting to extend the series, but the momentum, bolstered by Anunoby’s historic performance, now firmly rests with New York.
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