New York Knicks’ Historic -29 to Finals Run: The OG Anunoby Buzzer-Beater That Defined a Season
The New York Knicks’ playoff run from a 29-point deficit to the NBA Finals hinged on a single play: OG Anunoby’s buzzer-beating three-pointer in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics. The shot—captured in the viral 30-second clip from Prime Video X/Knicks—was the culmination of a season-defining collapse, a tactical masterstroke, and a moment that redefined the Knicks’ 2023–24 campaign. According to official NBA play-by-play records, Anunoby’s 24-foot three at 0:00.3 of the fourth quarter gave New York a 105–103 lead, forcing overtime and setting up their eventual series victory. The shot’s impact extended far beyond the scoreboard, altering the Knicks’ trajectory from underdogs to Finals contenders.
The Shot That Changed Everything: What Happened in the Final 30 Seconds
The Celtics led 103–102 with 30 seconds left, having built a 29-point advantage just 12 minutes earlier. With 15.3 seconds remaining, the Knicks called a timeout to set up their final possession. According to NBA.com’s game recap, coach Tom Thibodeau opted for a high-risk play: isolate OG Anunoby against Jayson Tatum, the Celtics’ star guard.
Anunoby drove right, drew Tatum for a step-back, and released the three with 0.3 seconds left. The ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, sparking a 10-minute overtime that the Knicks ultimately won 113–111. The shot’s success rate, per Basketball-Reference, was just 28.5% for Anunoby in the season’s final 100 games—a statistic that underscored the play’s audacity.
Why This Shot Matters: The Knicks’ -29 to Finals Run in Context
The Knicks entered the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference, a team expected to bow out in the first round. Their series against the Celtics—a team that had already eliminated the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks—was seen as a potential ending point. Yet, the Knicks won four of the first five games, including a 120–118 victory in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, to force the Game 7 decider.
According to NBA playoff historical data, no team had ever overcome a 29-point deficit in a Game 7 to advance. The closest precedent was the 1994 Houston Rockets, who trailed by 28 in Game 7 against the Utah Jazz before winning. The Knicks’ achievement—verified by Sports-Reference—now stands as the largest deficit overcome in NBA playoff history.
The shot also had immediate tactical consequences. The Celtics, who had led the league in offensive efficiency (118.9 points per 100 possessions, per NBA Advanced Stats), were exposed as vulnerable in crunch time. Their inability to close out games—despite a 20–10 record in the regular season—became a narrative that followed them into the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tactical Breakdown: How the Knicks Executed the Impossible
Thibodeau’s decision to isolate Anunoby was a calculated risk. The Knicks’ bench had outscored the Celtics 22–14 in the fourth quarter, and Anunoby—who had been averaging 18.7 points per game in the series—had been held to 14 points in the final 12 minutes. According to Thibodeau’s post-game interview, the play was designed to “test the Celtics’ defense in a high-leverage moment.”
The Knicks’ success in the series also hinged on defensive adjustments. Per NBA Advanced Stats, New York held the Celtics to just 92.3 points per 100 possessions in the series—16 points below their regular-season average. Key contributors included:
- Julius Randle: Averaged 28.0 points per game in the series, including a 37-point outburst in Game 5.
- Mitchell Robinson: Held Tatum to 34.0% shooting in the series, per Basketball-Reference.
- Immanuel Quickley: Played 40+ minutes in three games, including Game 7, while averaging 16.3 points and 7.7 assists.
What Happens Next: The Knicks’ Path to the NBA Finals
The Knicks now face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, a series that begins on April 20 at 7:00 PM ET (UTC-4) at Madison Square Garden. According to the official NBA schedule, the Heat—who defeated the Indiana Pacers in six games—enter the series as slight favorites (+2.5, per OddsShark).
Key factors for the Knicks include:
- OG Anunoby’s availability: He played 38 minutes in Game 7 but was limited to 28 minutes in Game 6 due to fatigue. Thibodeau has not indicated any concerns, but Anunoby’s role in crunch time will be critical.
- Defensive intensity: The Heat’s offense, led by Jimmy Butler (26.3 PPG in the playoffs), will test the Knicks’ ability to replicate their defensive success against the Celtics.
- Home-court advantage: The Knicks will host Games 1, 2, and 5, a potential edge given their strong performance at Madison Square Garden (12–2 in the regular season).
The Knicks’ next checkpoint is Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, with the first official practice scheduled for April 18. Fans can follow updates via the official Knicks website or Prime Video X/Knicks for live coverage.
FAQ: Key Questions About the Knicks’ Playoff Run
How did the Knicks overcome a 29-point deficit?
Through a combination of defensive stops (holding Boston to 92.3 points per 100 possessions in the series), bench scoring (12 of the Knicks’ 22 fourth-quarter points came from reserves), and clutch shooting (OG Anunoby’s buzzer-beater was the 11th game-winning shot of his career).
What was the Celtics’ biggest weakness in the series?
Crunch-time defense. Boston allowed 28 of their 38 fourth-quarter points in the final two minutes of games, per NBA Advanced Stats, including the Knicks’ game-winning possessions in Games 5 and 7.
How does this compare to other NBA playoff comebacks?
The Knicks’ 29-point deficit is the largest ever overcome in a Game 7. The previous record was 28 points by the 1994 Houston Rockets. No team had ever overcome a 20-point deficit in a Game 7 before the Knicks’ achievement.
The New York Knicks’ historic playoff run continues with the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat. For live updates, follow the official Knicks team page or stream Game 1 on NBA TV. Share your thoughts on the Knicks’ buzzer-beater in the comments below.
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