Knicks coach says decisive play was the greatest in NBA history
OG Anunoby made New York Knicks history on Wednesday night (10). With a decisive basket in the final seconds, the winger secured the 107-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and commanded the biggest comeback ever recorded in the history of the league's decision.
The Knicks were 29 points behind on the scoreboard, but reacted in front of a packed Madison Square Garden. The victory was sealed when Anunoby capitalized on a missed three-point shot by Jalen Brunson and deflected the ball into the basket with 1.2 seconds remaining.
For coach Mike Brown, the move will be remembered forever in the history of the franchise.
"That's probably the most iconic basket in the history of New York basketball. It was just unbelievable," he said.
With the result, the Knicks take a lead in the series and are just one victory away from ending a title drought that has lasted since 1973. The team returns to the court on Saturday, in San Antonio, for Game 5.
Few imagined a reaction like this after the first half. The Spurs dominated the opening two quarters, set an NBA Finals record by converting 14 three-pointers before halftime and had an inspired performance from French star Victor Wembanyama, who showed much more confidence than in the first games of the series.
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Brunson and Anunoby protagonists
In the stands, singer Taylor Swift drew attention as she watched the match and reinforced the already famous celebrity area at Madison Square Garden. On the court, however, the leading role went to Brunson and Anunoby, who led the home team's recovery. At the end of the third period, the difference had already fallen to 15 points.
"We know that basketball is a game of sequences. We are a resilient group. We have been through a lot and managed several comebacks when we were behind on the scoreboard. We had to keep fighting, withstand the pressure and not get down, angry or frustrated," said Anunoby.
The player highlighted that the team maintained confidence throughout the reaction.
"We continued to believe, we reduced the difference to 18 points, then to six and we continued to press. It's a 48-minute game, so we have to fight until the end."
In the final stretch of the fourth quarter, two consecutive three-pointers from Brunson and Jose Alvarado left the Knicks just one point behind, igniting the New York fans that filled the gym.
Mike Brown also revealed that he had demanded a more aggressive performance from Anunoby before the match.
"I challenged several players today, and OG was one of them. I said that with the size, strength and athleticism he has, he needs to be dominant in offensive rebounds."
The coach highlighted that an offensive rebound was decisive for the result. "It was a huge offensive rebound. Huge. He rose to the challenge and won the game for us."
Knicks and Spurs face each other again on Saturday (13), in San Antonio, in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
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Source: CNN