A Historic Comeback
The basketball that sealed the Knicks' historic Game 4 tip‑in during the 2026 NBA Finals is slated to appear at Sotheby's, drawing attention from collectors and fans alike. The ball captures the moment OG Anunoby sent the ball soaring into the net, igniting a 29‑point swing that stunned the league.
New York erased a massive deficit, forcing a Game 5 that would decide the series. The comeback not only rewrote the franchise's narrative but also marked the first NBA title for the team since 1973, ending a 53‑year championship drought.
The Ball's Journey to Auction
The championship‑clinching sphere will be offered at Sotheby's later this month, with an estimated price range of $2.5 million to $4.5 million. The auction house highlights the ball's provenance, linking it directly to Anunoby's game‑winning play and the Knicks' historic rally.
This valuation places the item in the same stratosphere as other legendary NBA relics, such as the championship‑clinching sphere from Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal's 2000 title game, which fetched $508,000, and Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar's final regular‑season ball, sold for $270,050 in 2019.
Sotheby's, the venerable auction house with a global reputation for handling high‑value collectibles, will manage the sale, underscoring the intersection of sports history and the high‑end art market.
The ball's journey from the hardwood in New York City to the auction block also ties into the broader cultural significance of the Knicks' victory, a moment that resonated across the United States and especially in Texas, where the Spurs once stood as the opponent.
For collectors, the purchase represents more than a piece of leather; it is an investment in a narrative that encapsulates perseverance, clutch performance, and the relentless pursuit of a long‑awaited championship.