The NBA released its Last Two Minute report for Game 4 of the Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.
And after trying to steal four consecutive games from New York’s paws, giving the Spurs the more-than-fair whistle and then some, the NBA finally gave the Knicks a break following their historic 29-point comeback victory over the Spurs on Wednesday.
As always, the report focused on all late-game developments of New York’s 107-106 win over San Antonio, including the heavily
debated defensive play involving OG Anunoby and De’Aaron Fox.
Some fanatics elsewhere and even a black-and-white-clad intruder who invaded P&T’s comment section a few hours ago decided OG had fouled Fox on his block attempt, when the smart point guard decided it was cool to try and outrun Anunoby for a layup instead of simply running the clock, getting fouled, bagging a couple freebies, and calling it a day. Welp.
According to the NBA’s pristine review, the on-court decision not to call a foul was correct. Knicks 1, Spurs 0.
“Anunoby (NYK) makes a legal attempt to block Fox’s (SAS) shot and dislodges the ball from his control before making incidental arm contact,” the report stated.
The sequence happened with roughly 12 seconds remaining as Fox attempted a transition layup with the Spurs leading by one. Anunoby blocked the shot cleanly, allowed the Knicks to recover possession, and ultimately pulled off the Tip of God to put San Antonio to the sword.
While that call was upheld, the report identified two officiating errors in the final stretch.
The first came with approximately 1:02 remaining, when Stephon Castle was ruled out of bounds during a drive. The NBA determined the call was incorrect, noting that Josh Hart made illegal contact with Castle and should have been called for a foul on the loser Spurs player. Knicks 2, Spurs 0.
“Hart (NYK) impedes Castle (SAS) on his drive as Castle is incorrectly called for committing an out-of-bounds violation,” the report stated.
The second missed call involved Victor Wembanyama, who was not called for a defensive three-second violation earlier in the final minutes. Knicks 2, Spurs 1.
These were the three plays discussed, with only two of them incorrect and split in favor of New York and San Antonio.
So overall, the tally went 2-1, which effectively makes it a win for the Knicks, and thus reflects the current outcome of the NBA Finals: Knicks 3-1 over the Spurs, with San Antonio likely hosting an Orange & Blue party inside their house on Saturday. Cold world.
