OG Anunoby’s game-used basketball from his 18 June Finals tip-in is heading to auction at Sotheby’s, igniting fresh outrage over NBA memorabilia rules and who controls historic items.
What happened?
On 18 June, OG Anunoby tipped in a rebound with 1.2 seconds left in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, lifting the New York Knicks to a 107-106 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Anunoby later tossed the game ball into the crowd, and Knicks executives later retrieved it. Sotheby’s now plans to auction the ball, despite player frustration over how Finals artifacts are handled.
Why the auction matters
The auction has drawn fierce backlash from players who argue the NBA and auction houses profit from items they feel should stay in their hands. Chase Jordan, a collector, tweeted that the ball will fetch a record price. Darren Rovell estimated it could sell for $3 million when it goes live on 30 June.
The projected haul matches top-tier sports memorabilia sales. But the debate cuts deeper: why do some championship items end up in auctions while players keep jerseys? Josh Hart reportedly kept his Finals uniform, raising questions about inconsistent access.
How the play defined the series
Anunoby’s tip-in capped a wild Game 4 that saw Jalen Brunson miss a potential game-winning three before Anunoby’s rebound sealed the win. The Knicks took a 3-1 series lead and went on to win the championship, their first title since 1973. The ball’s path from crowd to auction house has now overshadowed the historic moment.
What comes next?
The NBA and Sotheby’s face pressure to clarify how Finals memorabilia is preserved and auctioned. Players want a say in what stays with them after championship runs. With collector demand surging, the outcome could reshape how the league handles game-used items—and how much they’re worth.