OG Anunoby's Finals MVP Odds Jump to 2-1 After Game 4 Tip-In

Q: After the biggest comeback in Finals history, who truly deserves the MVP: the game's hero or the series' offensive leader?

Jalen Brunson deserves the Finals MVP right now, though OG Anunoby has made it a real debate. Brunson has the strongest full-series case. He is New York’s offensive engine, averaging 29.5 points and carrying the heaviest creation burden as the Knicks’ lead scorer and playmaker. In Game 4, the biggest comeback in Finals history, he was not just present for the finish; he drove the rally with 36 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. That matters because Finals MVP usually rewards the player who most consistently shapes the series, not only the player who delivers the final signature moment. Anunoby’s case is still powerful. His Game 4 block on De’Aaron Fox and game-winning tip-in were the defining plays of the night, and his overall Finals numbers are elite: 23.8 points on 58 percent shooting, plus major defensive value across multiple assignments. His efficiency has been historic, and he has arguably been the Knicks’ best two-way player. If voters prioritize impact on both ends and the most memorable swing plays, he has a legitimate path. But the better answer remains Brunson because he combines the headline moment with the broader body of work. He has been the Knicks’ primary offensive leader throughout the series and the playoffs, and his Game 4 performance was central to the comeback before Anunoby supplied the final exclamation point. If Anunoby dominates the clincher, the race could flip. Entering Game 5, Brunson still has the stronger MVP résumé.

Q: Can one iconic shot allow a defensive specialist to steal the Finals MVP trophy from his team's star scorer?

Yes — but only if the shot crowns a full series case, not by itself. That is why OG Anunoby is a real threat to take Finals MVP from Jalen Brunson. The Game 4 tip-in was the signature moment of the series, and it came after Anunoby’s block on De’Aaron Fox. But voters are not reacting only to one play. Through four games, Anunoby is averaging 23.8 points on 58 percent shooting, 56 percent from three, plus strong rim protection and the toughest defensive assignments across positions. That gives him both the defining highlight and a strong statistical argument. Brunson still has the traditional MVP profile. He is the Knicks’ offensive engine, averaging 29.5 points and carrying the larger creation burden. If New York closes the series and Brunson delivers the clinching game, especially with another big scoring night, he likely remains the safest pick. History shows the door is open for Anunoby. Andre Iguodala won Finals MVP over Stephen Curry in 2015 because voters rewarded defense, matchup impact and timely moments. Jaylen Brown’s 2024 win over Jayson Tatum also showed that voters can favor the player who most clearly “owned” the series narrative. So one iconic shot can swing the race, but only when it confirms what voters already see. In Anunoby’s case, the shot did not create his candidacy from nothing; it crystallized it. If he is strong again in the clincher, he can absolutely steal the trophy.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 12

BetMGM cut OG Anunoby to +200 from 150-1 a week ago after his Game 4 tip-in pushed the Knicks within one win of the NBA title.
17% of tickets and nearly 8% of money are now on Anunoby, making him BetMGM's biggest Finals MVP liability as bettors chase his late-series surge.
Jalen Brunson still leads at -110, but Anunoby's 23.8 points on 58% shooting and defensive assignments across multiple Spurs stars have tightened what is usually a clear-cut vote.
Victor Wembanyama sits at +390 only if San Antonio rallies, while Karl-Anthony Towns has faded to 65-1 after two quiet games, leaving the award likely to hinge on the clincher.