Magic Johnson’s Latest NBA Finals Take Has Coaches and Players Divided

In a moment that has left the basketball world absolutely stunned, NBA legend Magic Johnson has reportedly elevated OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in to a level that goes far beyond the usual Finals heroics. According to sources close to the situation, Johnson didn’t just call it one of the greatest plays in NBA history—he reportedly went much, much further.

Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Johnson allegedly declared, “It’s one of the greatest moments in sports, not just in the NBA Finals.” Insiders say the comment has sent shockwaves through league circles, with some analysts quietly wondering if this could shift how the entire series is remembered.

Anunoby’s putback capped off a historic 29-point comeback by the New York Knicks over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4, giving the Knicks a 107-106 victory. Up until that point, the Spurs had seemingly wrestled back control of the series after a brutal Game 3 loss. But now, the Knicks are reportedly poised to capture their first championship since 1973—and fans are buzzing about whether this single play could be the defining image of an entire era.

Johnson, of course, knows a thing or two about delivering in the biggest moments. During his Hall of Fame career, the Lakers legend led his team to five NBA titles in the 1980s—including that iconic Game 6 in 1980 where he played center in place of an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, dropping 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. And who could forget his baby hook over Kevin McHale and Robert Parish in Game 4 of the 1987 Finals, a shot that beat the Celtics 107-106?

Now, insiders are reportedly asking: has Anunoby’s tip-in just joined that pantheon? According to one unnamed source, “You don’t hear Magic throw around ‘greatest in sports’ lightly. This changes the conversation around this Knicks run forever.”

Game 5 is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CST / 8:30 p.m. EST at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. With Johnson’s comments still echoing across the sports world, all eyes will be on whether the Knicks can finish the job—or if the Spurs have one more twist left in this already legendary series.