OG Anunoby etched his name into New York sports folklore on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, by converting a game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining to secure a 107-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
The achievement at Madison Square Garden matches the magnitude of the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, as the New York Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit. The win grants the Knicks a 3-1 series lead, placing the franchise just one win away from its first championship in 53 years.
The first half appeared to be a decisive blowout in favor of the visitors. The San Antonio Spurs set an NBA Finals record by making 14 three-pointers in the first two quarters, propelling them to a dominant 76-49 halftime lead.
Despite the early onslaught from Victor Wembanyama, who finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, the Knicks began an improbable rally after trailing by as many as 29 points when the score sat at 81-52 early in the third quarter.
Jalen Brunson spearheaded the offensive surge with a game-high 36 points and seven assists. The New York Knicks’ resilience allowed them to chip away at the margin, much like how NBA expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas signaled a massive shift for the league’s geography. This defensive grit eventually set the stage for OG Anunoby to deliver the knockout blow in the final second.
Anunoby answers challenge from Mike Brown
Coach Mike Brown revealed after the buzzer that he had specifically challenged OG Anunoby to dominate the offensive glass. The 28-year-old forward, currently playing under a five-year, $212.5 million contract, responded by scoring a career playoff-high 33 points. He was remarkably efficient, hitting 10 of 15 field goals and seven of nine shots from behind the three-point arc.
The final minute was a frantic exchange of leads. Stephon Castle converted two free throws to give the Spurs a one-point edge with 30 seconds remaining. Following a missed layup by De’Aaron Fox, Jalen Brunson attempted a final three-pointer that rimmed out. OG Anunoby rose for the decisive tip-in with just over a second left.
Josh Hart then successfully disrupted Stephon Castle’s last-gasp effort to preserve the win.
“I told OG, as big, as strong, as athletic as he is, he’s got to be a monster on the offensive glass tonight,” Mike Brown said. “He took on the challenge.”
The coach described the winning tip-in as potentially the most iconic shot in the history of the franchise, eclipsing legendary moments from the 1970 and 1973 championship seasons. Decisions made under pressure often define sports legacies, as seen when Islam Makhachev targets two-division glory in the combat sports arena.
Towns overcomes foul trouble to support historic rally
Center Karl-Anthony Towns played a vital role in the turnaround despite playing only eight minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. He finished the night with 33 points, mirroring Anunoby’s scoring output. Following the victory, Towns was quick to praise his teammate’s heroics, describing Anunoby’s game-winning touch as the “right hand from God.”
The statistical breakdown of the comeback highlights the contributions from New York’s depth. Reserve guard Jose Alvarado added eight points during the fourth-quarter push to help overcome the record-breaking first-half shooting of the Spurs. San Antonio rookie Dylan Harper also impressed with 21 points off the bench, but it was not enough to stop the Knicks’ momentum.
- Final Score: New York Knicks 107, San Antonio Spurs 106
- NBA Finals Lead: Knicks lead 3-1
- OG Anunoby Stats: 33 points, 19 in second half
- Jalen Brunson Stats: 36 points, 9-of-11 free throws
- San Antonio Highlights: NBA Finals record 14 threes in first half
The New York Knicks now enter Game 5 with the opportunity to end a drought dating back to 1973. After finishing the regular season 51-31, the team has been nearly unstoppable in the playoffs, carrying a 15-3 postseason record. One more victory will finally return the Larry O’Brien Trophy to Manhattan after more than five decades of waiting.
