Knicks Notes: OG Anunoby’s iconic moment, Josh Hart’s relief, Jose Alvarado’s spark

The Knicks are one win away from an NBA championship, and they’re there largely because OG Anunoby delivered one of the most memorable plays in franchise history.

As Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors outlined, citing multiple reports, Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining capped New York’s stunning comeback from 29 points down and gave the Knicks a 107-106 victory over the Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

The basket immediately sparked discussion about where it ranks among the greatest moments in franchise history.

According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Knicks coach Mike Brown didn’t hesitate when asked about the significance of the play.

“I don’t know if there was a play bigger than any other play in the history of Knicks basketball,” Brown said. “That has to be the most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball.”

Stefan Bondy of the New York Post echoed a similar sentiment, writing that if the Knicks finish the job and win the title, Anunoby’s tip-in could join the ranks of the most iconic moments in New York sports history.

As Kurt Helin of NBC Sports noted, Brown had challenged Anunoby before Game 4 to become more aggressive on the offensive glass. The game-winner was the ultimate payoff.

“(Brown) told me I need to get on the glass, offensive glass, especially, and just use my ability, size, strength, athleticism,” Anunoby said. “And it happened at the end.”

Hart gets a reprieve

Not long before Anunoby’s heroics, Josh Hart feared he might become the game’s goat.

According to Zach Braziller of the New York Post, Hart missed a wide-open breakaway layup in the final minutes and later committed a foul that allowed Stephon Castle to put San Antonio back in front.

Fortunately for Hart, Anunoby bailed him out.

“I’ve got a special shout-out for OG, man, because he saved me, at least for this game, a lifetime of regret,” Hart said.

Alvarado provides fourth-quarter energy

While Anunoby will receive most of the headlines, Jose Alvarado played a major role in New York’s comeback.

As Howie Kussoy of the New York Post detailed, Alvarado scored eight fourth-quarter points and provided a major spark off the bench as the Knicks erased the deficit.

Teammates certainly noticed.

“That’s when things really started to shift,” Landry Shamet said of Alvarado’s entrance into the game. “He’s a spark.”

Karl-Anthony Towns offered similar praise, describing Alvarado as a “big-time player.”

Towns contributes in winning time

Towns also overcame early foul trouble to make several important contributions.

According to Fiifi Frimpong of the New York Daily News, Towns finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds after spending much of the first quarter on the bench.

His final contribution may have been his most important.

Towns got a hand on Dylan Harper‘s inbounds pass during San Antonio’s final possession, disrupting the play and helping prevent the Spurs from getting a clean look at a potential game-winning shot.

It wasn’t as dramatic as Anunoby’s tip-in. But with the Knicks now holding a 3-1 series lead, every play mattered.