OG Anunoby reflected on a defining late-game moment after the New York Knicks completed a 107-106 comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
The forward capped a 29-point comeback with a tip-in off a missed Jalen Brunson three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining, shifting the series to 3-1. The play came after a second-half defensive surge that flipped the game’s momentum.
Asked about the final sequence, Anunoby said, “I inbounded the ball to Jalen. He got a pretty good look and I just went and crashed to try to get a tip dunk or something. The ball went over my head so I couldn’t really dunk it. So I just tried to tip it in softly and it went in right there on the fourth row.”
He also explained the read on the play, saying, “The shot went up. There I was free. There was no one boxing me out so I just went in there for a tip dunk and ended up just tipping it in.”
The Knicks forward described the emotional weight of the moment, but emphasized the game was not finished at the time of the basket. “Just knowing I have to get a stop now. Just staying with it, staying present, not getting too happy cuz the game’s not over yet.”
Earlier in the press conference, Anunoby addressed the team’s mindset during the massive comeback after trailing by 29 points. “I’ll just say stuff like we’re fine. Stay with it. We’re fine. We know it’s a game of runs. We’re a resilient group. We’ve been through a lot. We’ve came back plenty of times when we’re down.”
He continued, “Just staying with it, weathering the storm, not being too down or angry or getting mad or frustrated. Just staying with it. Cut it down to 18. Cut it down to 12. Cut down to six. Just staying with it, pushing through. It’s a 48 minute game, so just play until the end.”
Anunoby also pointed to execution as a key adjustment in the second half. “Probably just our contests were better. Just a little bit better. Getting out faster and making sure every shot is contested and then finishing possessions with the rebounds.”
He also credited the crowd and atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden, saying, “I mean it’s amazing. We have the best fans in the world. Every night they’re showing out.”
When asked about the team’s history of comebacks, he referenced confidence built over multiple playoff runs. “When you do it once, you know you can do it again. So, you never want to be down, but that’s how it goes. It’s a game of runs.”
On the final possession of regulation, Anunoby focused on awareness rather than celebration. “Just the game wasn’t over. I looked up and saw the time. If it would have been 0.0, I would have been more excited, but it was 1.2 left.”
He closed by emphasizing team connection after being embraced by teammates following the play. “It’s pretty cool. We’re a team like a brotherhood, you know? We have each other’s backs. That’s just how it goes sometimes. And we would all do the same for each other.”
