Coach Melo?
While talking with ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne after the Knicks’ improbable NBA Finals Game 4 comeback Wednesday, Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony said he played a role in OG Anunoby‘s tip-in game-winner.
Anthony, now a broadcaster for NBC Sports, was at the game and said he was giving instructions to Knicks players before their crucial final possession when they were trailed by one point.
“I was yelling at them the whole time, ‘The offensive rebound is there! The offensive rebound is there!” Anthony told Shelbourne after the 107-106 win. “Coming out of that timeout, I made eye contact with them and was yelling, ‘The offensive rebound is there! Somebody go!’”
Knicks players were probably more focused on what head coach Mike Brown was telling them to do, but Anthony’s advice proved solid.
Anunoby’s game-winning putback with 1.2 seconds left came on an offensive rebound after Jalen Brunson missed a deep 3 that pulled Spurs star Victor Wembanyama out of the paint to contest the shot.
The Knicks forward then leaped above some smaller Spurs guards to produce one of the most iconic moments in NBA history, giving the team the 107-106 edge.
It was far from the first time Anthony has helped the Knicks.
After starting his career with the Nuggets, the Knicks traded for Anthony in 2011, where he spent seven seasons and helped lead the Knicks to the playoffs three times.
Anthony made the All-Star team every year with the Knicks, won the NBA’s scoring title with 28.7 points per game in 2012-13, was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 2013 and set the Knicks all-time record for points in a game with 62 in 2014.
He later became a Hall of Famer in September 2025.
The Knicks will now look to close out the Spurs in Saturday’s Game 5 as the series shifts back to San Antonio, with tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. ET.
