Carmelo Anthony, a guy who knows a thing or two about iconic Knicks moments, just dropped a bomb, calling OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals the “greatest moment in sports.” Seriously, the *greatest*. This wasn’t just another bucket, either, it capped off a ridiculous 29-point comeback that basically sealed the Knicks’ first championship in 52 years.
Down 29 Points and 1.2 Seconds Away From Disaster
That Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs was absolutely bonkers. The Knicks were down big, I mean, *down 29 points*! Most teams would just pack it in, but they clawed their way back, point by point. Then, with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock, Anunoby got that putback, winning the game by a single point. It was one of those plays that makes you jump off the couch, screaming. That legendary comeback and Anunoby’s tip-in were the exclamation point that not only became iconic for the Knicks but, as it turns out, essentially won them the series. Missing that shot would have tied the series at two games apiece, but making it gave them a massive edge.
Melo Saw the Dark Days, Now He Sees “The Greatest”
Think about it, the Knicks had been waiting 52 years for another title. Carmelo Anthony himself was a prominent player for them in the 2010s, but even he couldn’t get them over the hump, only delivering some regular season highlights. Now, as a fan, he’s witnessed something truly special. He told SNY TV’s Ian Begley, “That’s probably the greatest moment to me, in sports. When you think about it, that moment, the way the Knicks were down, we were losing, then came back… The way they just rallied back and came down to that tip-in. It’s funny in Knicks history, from the dark days of missing the tip-in to actually making the tip-in.” That’s deep, man. It’s not just a game-winner; it’s the culmination of decades of waiting, the erasing of past heartbreaks, all wrapped up in one miraculous play.
Flipping the Switch: From First Round Scare to Unbeaten Dominance
This whole championship run was wild. Early in the 2026 Playoffs, the Knicks were actually losing to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. Can you believe it? But something clicked. Head coach Mike Brown and the players apparently “flipped a switch,” because after Game 4 of that Atlanta series, they went unbeaten all the way through Game 3 of the Finals against the Spurs. Jalen Brunson was obviously a standout player, but he’d be the first to tell you his teammates, like OG Anunoby, were right there with him. What a turnaround, right?
Now, the focus is on the future. NBA experts are already speculating that the Knicks will fall short in their bid to repeat as champions, and their season opener is set to be an early test against a potential Eastern Conference rival. After a moment like that, though, you gotta believe anything is possible.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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