OG Anunoby Stands at the Pinnacle of British Basketball History as He Eyes NBA Glory with the New York Knicks
OG Anunoby has become a central figure in the 2026 NBA Finals and, in the process, may have created the most significant moment in British basketball history. The Harlesden-born New York Knicks forward produced a brilliant all-round performance in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 33 points, making seven three-pointers and finishing the game with a dramatic tip-in at the buzzer to secure a 107-106 victory. The play completed the largest comeback ever seen in an NBA Finals game and sent Madison Square Garden into celebration.
The shot, described by Karl-Anthony Towns as a “right hand from God,” quickly went viral around the world and has drawn huge attention in the UK. Anunoby himself said Game 4 was “probably the top of British basketball history,” adding that the moment was important not only for him but for everyone in Britain and the UK who follows the sport. With basketball increasingly consumed in short clips and highlights, the defining image of the series has become one of the most widely shared basketball moments involving a British player.
The impact could be even greater because basketball continues to grow rapidly in the UK. Sport England says it is the fastest-growing sport in the country and the second-most popular team sport behind football. Interest is rising across social platforms, and a record four UK players were on NBA rosters at the start of the season: Anunoby, Tosan Evbuomwan, Jeremy Sochan and Amari Williams. That presence suggests British basketball is beginning to make a more visible mark at the elite level.
Anunoby hopes the sport’s momentum keeps building, particularly with the planned launch of NBA Europe next year. He says more youth courts, academies, camps and wider awareness would help more children start playing early and fall in love with basketball. For him, the key is creating opportunities at grassroots level so the game can continue to grow from the bottom up.
For now, however, the focus remains on the title race. The Knicks hold a 3-1 lead in the series and can clinch the Larry O’Brien Trophy with another win in San Antonio. They have already won both games there this Finals, and another victory would end a long championship drought for New York. The Spurs, despite having led by double digits in all four games, now face elimination after what had looked like a near-certain Game 4 win according to pre-game win probability estimates.
San Antonio guard De’Aaron Fox insists his team still believes it can fight back, but the task is difficult. New York has been dominant in closeout games throughout the playoffs, winning all three by large margins on the road. With thousands of Knicks fans expected in San Antonio, the stage is set for a potentially historic finish. Jalen Brunson, who has been the emotional leader of the team, says the Knicks are focused only on the next possession, the next play and the next quarter as they look to complete the job and finish the season as champions.
