OG Anunoby addressed the media at New York Knicks practice after delivering one of the most memorable plays in recent franchise history. The wing discussed the messages he received following his game-winning block in Game 4, the city's recognition, fan support traveling for Game 5, and the work that has elevated his impact these playoffs.
Q. OG, a two-part question. First, has there been anyone in particular, someone famous or just someone very important to you, that you've heard from since you made that shot? And second, what has this last day been like after making what might go down as one of the most iconic shots in history?
OG ANUNOBY: Definitely I've heard from a lot of people. Just because it's the championship… my former teammates from the Raptors that I played with in the past reached out to me. They were really excited for me, happy for me.
What was the second part you said?
Q. What's it like knowing that people are already considering it one of the great sports moments in New York history, up there with Don Larsen's perfect game? What's it like knowing that play will be remembered forever?
OG ANUNOBY: It's really beautiful. Like you said, everyone's been telling me how much it means, and obviously I can see how much it means. It's just really beautiful to be a part of it, and I'm very grateful.
Q. June 11, 2026 is Ogugua Anunoby Fan Appreciation Day in New York. What does that mean to you, beyond just feeling good and emotional?
OG ANUNOBY: It's incredible. It's really beautiful. It's really exciting. Yeah, it's just special. It's incredible.
Q. Following up on all that, there's been so much noise around your play at the end of the game. How many messages did you have on your phone after Game 4?
OG ANUNOBY: I don't know the exact number. There's a lot, that's for sure. I'm not sure how many.
Q. You've gone from being one of the best two-way players in the NBA to another level of excellence in these playoffs. What does it take to go from great to excellent? Was it more mental preparation, physical, technical?
OG ANUNOBY: I think, like you said, a lot of preparation off the court, with film study and all those things. On the court, just being in the gym, working on my game, trying to grow and improve throughout the year or whatever. Just always trying to improve.
Also, just opportunity. More opportunity to show more and do more things. And being ready for it when you get the opportunity, just through hard work.
Q. It seems that, according to the data, Knicks fans are already traveling in mass numbers to this Game 5, buying tickets from Spurs fans. In the moment when you're in what's supposed to be hostile territory and you hear your own fans cheering you on the road, what does that feel like? And how does that momentum show up in a game when you hear the fans like that?
OG ANUNOBY: The support means everything to us. We know we have the best fans in the world. They support and they travel. They show up. They're loud, they're rowdy, they're excited. It's incredible. We all feel it. We feed off their energy.
Q. Yesterday the World Cup started. I know how much of a soccer fanatic you are. I want to show you this photo [shows a photo on his phone]. What does it mean to you? If you know, who is the man on the right?
OG ANUNOBY: [Diego] Maradona. Yeah, Maradona is a legend. It's a really beautiful photo. It's just very, very beautiful. It's special.