The New York Knicks are one win away from winning the NBA championship for the first time since 1973.
Jalen Brunson has been the star of the show for the Knicks against the San Antonio Spurs, but Rich Paul believes that another New York star has proven to be more worthy of being named Finals MVP.
Rich Paul Names Knicks Star Over Jalen Brunson As His Current Finals MVP
The Knicks pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history on Thursday, overturning a 27-point halftime deficit to win Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. OG Anunoby scored the winning bucket, tipping in a missed shot with 1.2 seconds left on the clock to help the Knicks claim a 107-106 victory.
With the Knicks one win away from ending a 53-year NBA title drought, Paul has revealed his top candidate for the Finals MVP award.
“He’s been the most reliable on the Knicks in this series on both ends of the floor. He’s shot it well from the three. He’s guarded, he’s made the hustle plays, getting the 50-50 balls. When you look at his overall impact on the series and each game, it’s been OG,” Paul said on the Game Over podcast.
The entrepreneur and sports agent further raved about Anunoby’s clutch plays in Game 4, as the Knicks claimed a stunning win from an improbable situation.
“He’s made every big shot, he made a big play [in Game 4] on both ends of the floor between the block and then the tip to put them up 1 with 1.2 seconds left in the game,” Paul said on the Game Over podcast,” Paul added.
Anunoby was a vital part of the Toronto Raptors team that won the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in 2019. His experience has been vital to the Knicks during the 2026 NBA playoffs.
The 28-year-old is averaging 23.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field and 55.6% from the three-point line during the NBA Finals.
Anunoby scored 33 points as the Knicks stunned the Spurs in Game 4, going 10-of-15 from the field and 7-of-9 from beyond the arc. He made a decisive block to stop De’Aaron Fox’s lay-up attempt on a fast-break with seconds to go, before tipping in what proved to be the winning bucket.
The NBA Finals now head to San Antonio, where the Spurs will look to extend the series, while Anunoby and the Knicks will have their sights set on clinching the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
