There were 1.2 seconds left. The Knicks were behind by one. The three-pointer made by Jalen Brunson struck the iron. Suddenly, a big, surprisingly silent forward from northwest London’s Harlesden emerged from the crowd and palmed the ball into the basket.
Madison Square Garden did not simply explode. It broke at the seams. Over three billion people have viewed that moment on social media since OG Anunoby’s tip-in to win Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
The New York Knicks were one victory away from winning their first championship since 1973 after completing the biggest comeback in Finals history and overcoming a 29-point deficit in the second half. Anunoby accomplished something that most British athletes can only dream of: he became truly iconic in New York City by the time the series ended 4-1 in San Antonio three nites later.
But what’s intriguing—and a little funny, if you know anything about Anunoby—is how little he appeared to want the commotion. He claimed that very few people in London were aware that he had recently won the title. That makes sense. He’s never been the loudest voice in the room, which somehow makes what he does on a basketball court even more shocking.
Before relocating to the US to pursue a career in basketball, Anunoby was raised in the London Boro of Brent neighborhood of Harlesden. Although he won a championship ring with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 after being drafted by them in 2017, he was hurt and did not play a single minute in those Finals. His ceiling was difficult to define for years; he was obviously talented, but was he a piece or a player? A cornerstone or a contributor?
In New York, the solution was found. After being traded to the Knicks in late 2023, Anunoby gradually developed into a two-way player who could stretch the floor, defend anyone, and perform in crucial situations. He averaged 16.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game during the 2025–26 regular season. These figures increased to 20.3 points and 6.1 rebounds during the playoffs. In 84 of the Knicks’ 101 games this season, he started. In terms of average minutes, points, assists, blocks, and steals, he finished second on the team during the Finals. Before making that tip-in, he scored 33 points and made seven three-pointers in Game 4.
The face of this Knicks team is Finals MVP Jalen Brunson. That is just and well-deserved. However, there is a growing argument that Anunoby has evolved beyond being a sidekick, and it was already making waves following Game 4. His tip-in was dubbed the most famous shot in New York basketball history by coach Mike Brown. There is a long history of basketball in that city. For such a statement, the standard is not low.
At a promotional event in Times Square two months after the championship, Anunoby signed autographs while observing fans attempt to replicate his tip-in on a temporary court. The approximate location of the incident was indicated by footprints on the ground. The Knicks were playing back-to-back, one fan yelled. Even Anunoby, who is renowned for being stoic in public, smiled. It wasn’t staged; it felt real.
His victory has sparked something back in Britain. According to Anunoby, Game 4 was arguably the best moment in British basketball history. There is a feeling that basketball is getting close to a true turning point in the UK, where it is already the second most popular team sport after football. NBA Europe is reportedly set to debut next year.
This past season, a record four British players—Anunoby, Tosan Evbuomwan, Jeremy Sochan, and Amari Williams—appeared on NBA rosters. In an effort to give more children early access to basketball, Anunoby has also made investments in renovating youth basketball courts in the UK.
Whether a single tip can change a culture is still up for debate. Most likely not by itself. However, these events usually begin somewhere, with a specific enough moment that people can recall their exact location at the time. Additionally, there will be children in British cities and towns who watched those 1.2 seconds and decided they wanted to play basketball.
LeBron James and Jaylen Brown have joined the 76ers, who will play the Knicks on opening nite of the upcoming season. Giannis Antetokounmpo was acquired by the Heat. There will be brutality in the East. Anunoby remained composed when questioned about it. “Every year, there’s turnover, player movement,” he stated. “So just usual.”
That may be Anunoby’s most original statement ever. A $212.5 million star, a champion, and a man whose tip went viral on the internet, his assessment of the NBA’s changing landscape is basically, “Yeah, it happens every year.”
A certain type of athlete performs extraordinary feats without seeming to notice. One was sent to New York by London. It won’t be forgotten in New York.
