In the small hours of Sunday morning UK time, a boy from Harlesden can become an NBA champion. Not just that, he can do it after delivering THE iconic moment of the whole series.
This year’s NBA Finals have delivered the biggest TV audiences since the Michael Jordan era and, after hitting what coach Mike Brown called “the most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball” with his tip-in to win Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, OG Anunoby has triggered the single greatest moment of exposure in British basketball history.
Anunoby’s performance in Game 4 was Herculean. He scored 33 points, hit seven three-pointers and capped the largest comeback in Finals history with the final basket of the game as the Knicks won 107-106.
Oh, and he was an absolute beast defensively as well, as he always is, picking up a steal and a block but impacting more than the stat sheet showed.
Anunoby’s defensive play has been a massive factor in the series
But the moment he soared through the air to tip home Jalen Brunson’s shot attempt with 1.2 seconds to go to send MSG ballistic will no doubt echo through time in New York and beyond across the Atlantic – but what about the impact over here?
“Game four was probably the top of British basketball history,” Anunoby told Sky Sports. “It was just amazing for Britain and the UK, and just everyone that loves basketball in the UK.”
With content being consumed avidly in shorter and shorter bursts, the “right hand from God”, as Karl-Anthony Towns called it, perhaps represents the pinnacle for the sport in this country. It was a clip that went viral around the world.
Momentum is building as well, basketball is the fastest-growing sport in the UK and the second-most popular team sport behind football, according to Sport England. Engagement is increasing massively, too, on all platforms.
Add to that the fact that a record four UK players were on NBA rosters at the start of this season – Anunoby, Tosan Evbuomwan, Jeremy Sochan and Amari Williams – and you can see that the growth is beginning to have a tangible impact at the top level of the game.
Anunoby hopes his iconic moment can continue to spur British basketball
Anunoby wants to build on that and hopes the momentum can continue – especially with NBA Europe “on schedule” to launch next year – but what does he believe could make a difference?
“More youth courts for kids to start early and play basketball and just start loving the game,” he said.
“Then, just as it grows into academies, more kids, more excitement, more camps, and just more awareness for basketball overall.”
Right now, though, attention turns to business. The Knicks have a 3-1 lead and won both games in San Antonio to start the series. They can finish the series and lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy overnight if they manage to defeat Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs’ very strong supporting cast on their home court once again.
According to the number-crunching statisticians, the Spurs – who have had double-digit leads in all four games – had about a 99.7 per cent chance of winning Game 4, tying the series and coming home with all the momentum. They are on the brink of elimination instead.
“We still have that belief that we have a chance to win,” said Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox. “But we’re taking this one game at a time. We’re not looking at it as we need to win three games. We need to win tomorrow and then we give ourselves a chance to play another game.”
It will not be easy. When the Knicks have had a closeout opportunity this season, they have left zero doubt.
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Highlights of the NBA Finals Game 4 match between New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs
New York is 3-0 in closeout games in these playoffs, winning them by the almost comical average of 39.3 points per game. The Knicks led by 61 points before winning 140-89 to close out Atlanta in Round 1, led by 44 points before winning 144-114 to close out Philadelphia in Round 2, then led by 45 points before winning 130-93 to close out Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals.
All that happened on the road, too. And thousands of Knicks fans are expected in San Antonio on Saturday night, all ready to see New York end that long title drought.
“One possession at a time, one play at a time, one quarter at a time,” Knicks guard and likely-Finals MVP if they win, Brunson, said.
“You’re thinking about the now, how you can be better the next possession, how can you turn the page, positive or negative.
“Regardless of what’s going on, our mindset and approach has to stay the same. I think we’ve done a very good job of that. It’s something that has grown over the season. It’s really important, especially obviously now.”
2026 NBA Finals schedule
All dates and times UK and Ireland
Game 1
Knicks 105-95 Spurs
Game 2
Knicks 105-104 Spurs
Game 3
Spurs 115-111 Knicks
Game 4
Knicks 107-106 Spurs
Game 5
June 14 – Knicks @ Spurs – 1.30am
Game 6
June 17 – Spurs @ Knicks – 1.30am
Game 7
June 20 – Knicks @ Spurs – 1.30am
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