{"id":33479,"date":"2026-06-14T00:28:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T00:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/14\/finals-mvp-ladder-og-anunoby-sprints-to-the-top-after-game-4-heroics\/"},"modified":"2026-06-14T00:28:45","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T00:28:45","slug":"finals-mvp-ladder-og-anunoby-sprints-to-the-top-after-game-4-heroics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/14\/finals-mvp-ladder-og-anunoby-sprints-to-the-top-after-game-4-heroics\/","title":{"rendered":"Finals MVP Ladder: OG Anunoby sprints to the top after Game 4 heroics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"wp-caption\">\n<p><iframe class=\"mkv-embed mkv-embed-2235843 mkv-embed-prod\" data-nba-id=\"2235843\" data-nba-env=\"prod\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/watch\/embed\/2235843?autostart=false&amp;mute=false\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\">OG Anunoby scores 33 points, sealing the Knicks&#8217; comeback victory with a game-winning putback with 1.2 seconds remaining.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>\u2022\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/link.nba.com\/NBAapp_\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download the NBA App<\/a><\/b><br \/><strong>\u2022 Complete coverage:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/playoffs\/2026\/nba-finals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026 NBA Finals<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The race for the top spot in the NBA Finals MVP Ladder was just tipped in a certain direction.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s because this series begged for a signature moment and it finally arrived in the \u2026 <em>Knick<\/em> of time \u2014 as in, with 1 second and change remaining in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/game\/sas-vs-nyk-0042500404\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an insane Game 4<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>OG Anunoby\u2019s tip-in to win already ranks as the biggest offensive rebound in New York Knicks\u2019 history, one of the biggest in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/news\/history-finals-moments-index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBA Finals history<\/a>, and could be the bucket that ultimately gives the Knicks a championship, provided they cash in with one of their three elimination games.<\/p>\n<p>They\u2019re up 3-1 because of that play, but the epic moment alone doesn\u2019t describe what Anunoby has done this series. Most of his contributions to that point were fantastic yet quiet, until the boom.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">OG ANUNOBY\u2019S GAME WINNING TIP IN. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5GOGHutoYc\">pic.twitter.com\/5GOGHutoYc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nyknicks\/status\/2064915646052278610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">POV: you witnessed the game winner in person \ud83e\udd79 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uCAK3ozuP8\">pic.twitter.com\/uCAK3ozuP8<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/nyknicks\/status\/2064917221072142505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cHe gave us a chance to win, and that\u2019s all you could ask for from the best two-way player in the NBA,\u201d said Knicks teammate Karl-Anthony Towns.<\/p>\n<p>Also, remember \u2014 his hustle-and-come-from-behind block on De\u2019Aaron Fox in the closing seconds of Game 4, which set up the game-winner, was proof of Anunoby\u2019s baseline-to-baseline impact.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, he\u2019s not only standing on top of the city right now until further notice, but he\u2019s also on top of the Ladder with the Knicks holding an elimination game over the San Antonio Spurs.<\/p>\n<p>Much can happen, though, in the Ladder race as plenty depends on who rises to the occasion in the eventual closeout game \u2014 and also if the Spurs make a rally in this series that mirrors what the Knicks did in Game 4.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The stat to know: <\/strong>Anunoby has made more 3-pointers (15) than Towns and Jalen Brunson combined (14) in the Finals. During the regular season, Anunoby was a reliable shooter (38.6%) from that distance, yet he made fewer 3-pointers per game on average than Deuce McBride.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What they\u2019re saying: <\/strong>\u201cOG, he\u2019s been amazing since he\u2019s got here. This whole playoff run, he\u2019s been amazing on both ends of the ball. He\u2019s a winning player and he made a winning play.\u201d \u2014 <em>Knicks guard Josh Hart on Anunoby<\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>1. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/playoffs\/2026\/nba-finals\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>2026 NBA Finals stats:<\/strong><\/a> 23.8 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.3 apg<\/p>\n<p><strong>His case:<\/strong> The most understated part of Anunoby\u2019s putback is how there was no instant and fanatical reaction by him. But that\u2019s his nature. Six years ago in the bubble, he sank a game-winner in the playoffs for the Toronto Raptors and calmly walked toward the bench, which had already emptied and was ready to smother him.<\/p>\n<p>His reticent nature is benefiting him in this series, both before that shot and hopefully the Knicks, for the rest of this series, for however long it goes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt feels cool,\u201d he said, coolly.<\/p>\n<p>His 33 points on 10-for-15 shooting stood as a difference-maker in Game 4. And nobody in this series is more efficient at shooting the ball. He has 61 points on 19-for-28 shooting in the last two games and is shooting 55% from deep in the series. His play at both ends of the floor has been solid for the Knicks this series, and all he lacked was a special moment. Well, that has arrived. And so has Anunoby.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/playoffs\/2026\/nba-finals\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>2026 NBA Finals stats:<\/strong><\/a> 15.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.8 apg<\/p>\n<p><strong>His case:<\/strong> Towns has played at a consistently lofty level for much of the series. He managed to shake free of early foul trouble in Game 4 and was on the floor in the fourth quarter. Curiously, until Game 4, Towns hadn\u2019t scored in any of the previous three fourth quarters.<\/p>\n<p>His defense helped the Knicks prevent Victor Wembanyama from dominating them down the stretch in that game. Towns is averaging a double-double and maintains a slight edge in the all-important Big Man Competition this series \u2014 and given that the competition is 7-foot-4, that\u2019s a tall order for Towns.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/playoffs\/2026\/nba-finals\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>2026 NBA Finals stats:<\/strong><\/a> 27.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 3.3 bpg<\/p>\n<p><strong>His case:<\/strong> If not for Anunoby\u2019s tip-in, perhaps Wemby would have pole position on the ladder, because then the series would be tied and the Spurs would hold a measure of momentum headed back to San Antonio. He has improved and matured much since the first half of Game 1 when he struggled.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, aside from some shaky stretches, Wemby\u2019s performance has ranked among the best in this series. He hasn\u2019t been perfect, of course, here in his first taste of the championship series. But he\u2019s clearly a factor at both ends and the biggest concern for the Knicks.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>4. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/playoffs\/2026\/nba-finals\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>2026 NBA Finals stats:<\/strong><\/a> 29.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5 apg<\/p>\n<p><strong>His case:<\/strong> Brunson finally shook free of faulty shooting by delivering a more efficient effort (12-25 FGs, 9-11 FTs, 36 points) in Game 4. It was his best game of the series from tip-to-buzzer. Brunson was aggressive the entire night and seemed determined to rally the Knicks when hope seemed lost.<\/p>\n<p>Brunson is also commanding the most attention from the Spurs\u2019 defense. Evidently, San Antonio realizes how dangerous he is and how the Spurs must toss additional bodies in his path. If Brunson delivers another solid shooting performance, it\u2019ll be tough for the Spurs to recover.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h3>5. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/playoffs\/2026\/nba-finals\/stats\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>2026 NBA Finals stats:<\/strong><\/a> 16.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.8 apg<\/p>\n<p><strong>His case:<\/strong> He continued his solid contribution streak with another double-digit scoring game \u2014 he\u2019s the youngest to do so in the NBA Finals \u2014 along with dependable defense. It was interesting to see the Spurs search for Harper in the fourth quarter of Game 4 when the team struggled. That reflected the confidence that his teammates and the coaching staff have in Harper, who\u2019s just 20. His 21 points in Game 4 made him the youngest to crack 20-plus in a Finals game.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to his scoring and defense, Harper is snagging rebounds at a higher rate than any guard in this series. Harper is playing with a poise that\u2019s unusual for a rookie, although by now he has an entire regular season and three playoff rounds behind him. Harper has a bright future ahead, although he\u2019d like that future to extend this debut season beyond Game 5 on Saturday. He gets the No. 5 spot on the ladder ahead of teammate Stephon Castle.<\/p>\n<p>* * *<\/p>\n<p><em>Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/news\/mailto:spowell@nba.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spowell@nba.com<\/a>, find\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.nba.com\/writer\/archive\/shaun-powell\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">his archive here<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Powell2daPeople\">follow him on\u00a0X<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>OG Anunoby scores 33 points, sealing the Knicks&#8217; comeback victory with a game-winning putback with 1.2 seconds remaining. \u2022\u00a0Download the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_animmysite_disable_animation":false,"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cdn.nba.com\/manage\/2026\/06\/anunoby-celebrates-061026-scaled.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[212],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trending-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33479"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33479\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/trendifyhubusa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}