The game-used ball from the New York Knicks‘ Game 4 win against the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA Finals has been taken off the auction block. While many other pieces of sports memorabilia from the series will still be present, the ball was swiped from the slate just minutes before bidding was to begin.
BREAKING: 30 minutes before the @Sothebys NBA Finals Auction was to begin (10am ET), the OG Game 4 ball has been PULLED.
The ball will go to the New York Knicks.
We have obtained a statement from an NBA spokesperson: pic.twitter.com/tdNq6RdbZR
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 30, 2026
The New York Knicks sprang back from a 29-point second-half deficit against the Spurs in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. With just seconds left, guard Jalen Brunson shot a deep three-pointer that bounced off the front rim, seemingly missing the basket.
However, OG Anunoby managed to escape multiple Spurs players and tip the ball into the basket with 1.2 seconds left on the clock. His tip-in secured a 107-106 win over the Spurs, giving New York a 3-1 lead in the series.
It was also the biggest comeback in Finals history.
The team closed out the series in Game 5 with another comeback win, earning their first NBA championship since 1973. The tip-in ball was then sent to Sotheby’s for fans to bid on the highly collectible item.
Josh Hart took the game ball after Game 4.
The @NBA said not so fast.
The league deal with @Sothebys provides for certain items to be auctioned off.
Many players have been extremely frustrated by it, and as the collectible market has grown and protocols have been put in… https://t.co/JojIrCI0Vipic.twitter.com/Iamjrhr3ZK
— Chase Jordan (@goatcollect) June 20, 2026
The game ball would’ve surely drawn a lot of attention from potential buyers, but there was a change of heart.
An NBA spokesperson told Darren Rovell of Cllct, “The game ball from Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals holds significant importance to the New York Knicks, their fans, and the city, and will remain with the team as a lasting piece of franchise history.”
They added, “As such, it will not be included in Sotheby’s June 30 auction, which will continue to feature a curated selection of authentic jerseys and memorabilia from the series.”
The ball was taken off Sotheby’s auction block just 30 minutes before it began.
Other than the Game 4 ball, there are plenty of other interesting items, including the net from Game 5, which has a current bid of $15,000, and Jalen Brunson’s Game 1 jersey, which is up to $110,000.
As for the New York Knicks, their Game 4 ball is coming home to stay.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
