Knicks’ Thrilling Game 4 Victory
OG Anunoby wasn’t the only player making waves during the Knicks’ nail-biting Game 4 win over the Spurs.
A video clip capturing the final play shows Karl-Anthony Towns deflecting an inbounds pass from Dylan Harper. This moment possibly altered what could have been the winning shot for the Knicks.
Fans dissected the play on social media, noting that Stephon Castle made a cut to the basket, leaving him wide open for an alley-oop. Unfortunately, Towns’ timely intervention thwarted Harper’s pass, causing a disruption.
Castle subsequently bobbled the ball before managing to recover, but the lapse allowed a defender to close in. This resulted in him having to pivot away from the basket, which led to him missing a crucial shot with just 1.2 seconds on the clock.
As chaotic celebrations erupted at Madison Square Garden—celebrating the Knicks’ comeback from a hefty 29-point deficit to seize a 3-1 series lead—Towns’ critical play initially went unnoticed in ESPN’s coverage.
“At halftime, we were definitely disappointed with our first-half performance,” Towns reflected on the game. The Knicks entered the locker room trailing 76-49, facing their second consecutive loss at MSG.
He emphasized the team’s cohesion, stating, “Everyone spoke up in the locker room. Jose (Alvarado) pointed out that, regardless of the game’s outcome, we should at least strive to meet our standards and be our true selves.”
It’s worth noting that Towns’ significant moment could not have occurred without Anunoby’s earlier efforts.
Anunoby inbounds the ball to Jalen Brunson, who attempted a deep three-pointer but missed. Anunoby, however, made a decisive play by tipping the ball in just over a second before the buzzer.
“I think that’s why sometimes, when he faces OG, it feels like he’s not at his best,” Towns remarked. “Every time we chat, I remind him that I know exactly what OG Anunoby is capable of in the clutch. And he proved me right again, giving us a shot at victory. That’s what you hope for from a top-tier two-way player.”
Towns wrapped up his performance with 13 points and 10 rebounds, though he was benched early due to a controversial foul call just a minute into the game.
