Karl-Anthony Towns was limited to 26 minutes in Game 4 of the NBA Finals due to foul trouble. Still, the star center finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, helping the New York Knicks secure a hard-fought 107-106 comeback victory to move within one win of their first title since 1973.
However, more than his virtuoso effort amid challenging circumstances, Towns made a cunning move in the closing seconds that made it difficult for San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper to deliver an accurate inbound pass, prompting the NBA community to weigh in on the sneaky play.
NBA World Reacts to Karl-Anthony Towns’ Savvy Move in Waning Seconds of Knicks’ Game 4 Win
As the Knicks were on defense, clinging to a 107-106 lead with 1.2 seconds left after rallying from a 29-point second-half deficit, Towns was tasked with making life difficult for Harper as he inbounded the ball.
The 7-foot center knew he had to impose his size to impede Harper’s vision and force the rookie into an errant pass, as New York was one defensive stop away from securing a commanding 3-1 series lead.
A few feet away, Towns saw two fans standing courtside, watching the culmination of the thrilling contest. The six-time All-Star gestured for them to move closer to Harper, making it harder for the guard to execute the inbound pass.
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Towns and the fans, who also jeered at Harper, formed a wall that seemed to block the rookie’s left side, forcing him to lob the ball a few feet away from Stephon Castle, who bobbled it before throwing it to Knicks wing Josh Hart as the final buzzer sounded.
The crucial moment drew the attention of the NBA and sports world on Thursday, with NFL reporter Dov Kleiman labeling Towns’ last-second move “illegal.”
“New footage has surfaced of Karl-Anthony Towns asking Knicks fans courtside to move closer to Dylan Harper as he tried to inbound the ball on the final play of the game. Harper threw a bad pass, and the Knicks won because of it. This should be illegal. 🤯🤯🤯,” Kleiman wrote.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: New footage has surfaced of Karl-Anthony Towns asking Knicks fans courtside to move closer to Dylan Harper as he tried to inbound the ball on the final play of the game.
Harper threw a bad pass and the Knicks won because of it.
This should be illegal.
🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/rqNISKMyjZ
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 12, 2026
Conversely, sports radio host Rami Lavi dubbed the Knicks big man’s decision “incredible.”
“Incredible stuff from KAT motioning the fans to get closer to Harper,” Lavi applauded.
Incredible stuff from KAT motioning the fans to get closer to Harper pic.twitter.com/2XDNZ6kjBJ
— Rami Lavi (@rami_lavi) June 12, 2026
NBA reporter Sam Oshtry also shared his take on the last-second play. He praised the Knicks’ coaching staff for opting to use Towns as the primary inbound defender.
Oshtry also highlighted Harper’s playoff inexperience, noting that he could have asked the referee to give him ample space to operate on the inbound play. Instead, Towns capitalized on the rookie’s mistake and prevented the Spurs from tying the series.
“Great spot. Very smart by KAT. Harper could’ve asked the ref for more space. Also smart to have KAT on the ball. If this pass isn’t tipped, it’s probably a Spurs bucket,” Oshtry remarked.
Great spot. Very smart by KAT. Harper could’ve asked the ref for more space. Also smart to have KAT on the ball. If this pass isn’t tipped, it’s probably a Spurs bucket https://t.co/b58ro0istg
— Sam Oshtry (@soshtry) June 12, 2026
Hater Report also chimed in on Towns’ heady move, pointing out that it gave the Knicks an “extra defender,” before questioning, “How is this ok?”
KAT told Knicks fans to get closer to Dylan Harper so he wouldn’t have space to inbound the ball 😭
This is like another defender. How is this ok lmao
pic.twitter.com/nAcFlrNpEz— Hater Report (@HaterReport) June 12, 2026
Towns and the Knicks will have a chance to close out the Spurs in Game 5 in San Antonio on Saturday and secure the NBA title that has eluded New York for the last 53 years.
