The basketball from OG Anunoby's iconic, game-winning tip-in in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals is heading to auction at Sotheby's, with bidding set to open on June 30. This isn't just any game ball; it's the tangible relic of a play that cemented the New York Knicks' first championship in 53 years, a moment so significant it could command as much as $3 million. The sheer financial gravitas attached to this piece of memorabilia underscores its place in not just Knicks lore, but arguably in the broader history of New York sports.
Anunoby's late-game heroics in Game 4 were the culmination of a truly remarkable season and postseason. His critical Game 4 performance included a clutch block on De'Aaron Fox just before his game-winner.
What made that tip-in so special wasn't just the shot itself, but the context: the Knicks were trailing the San Antonio Spurs 106-105 with seconds left in Game 4, facing a 2-2 series tie. Anunoby's put-back, coming after Jalen Brunson's contested three-point attempt, secured a dramatic 107-106 victory and a commanding 3-1 series lead. This play completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, with the Knicks erasing a 29-point deficit that had them down in the third quarter.
The significance of this ball extends far beyond the stat sheet. It represents the turning point in a series that saw the Knicks capture their first NBA title since 1973, ending a 53-year drought. Instead of heading to San Antonio with the series tied, the Knicks seized a commanding 3-1 lead, and days later, the franchise finished off the Spurs to capture its first NBA title since 1973.
This auction, part of a larger collection of Finals memorabilia that includes game-worn jerseys, nets and other items from the Knicks’ championship run, is poised to be a significant event for collectors and Knicks fans alike. While the $3 million estimate is speculative, the intrinsic value of this ball, tied to a singular, championship-defining moment and the largest comeback in Finals history, makes it a centerpiece item. The potential record-breaking sale will only further immortalize Anunoby's tip-in and the 2026 Knicks championship, cementing its place in sports history, and likely fueling debates for decades about its true worth.
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