Mitch Johnson drew up a beauty on Wednesday night with 1.2 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. But the heady call the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach made was merely a footnote after New York Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns made the biggest defensive play of his life to unravel the crafty play design.
On the ball, stretching his arms to obstruct the possible passing lanes for an inbounding Dylan Harper, Towns got a piece of a pass that could have set the stage for a comeback-spoiling game-winner.
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While the deflection was easily overlooked in the moment — particularly as pandemonium erupted in the aftermath of New York’s 107-106, come-from-behind victory — it was clear as day on replay.
Multiple angles show Towns affecting the flight path of Harper’s pass.
Fans even got a glimpse of Towns’ heroics from this cinematic clip entertainment industry icon and longtime Knicks fan Ben Stiller posted to X:
If Towns, affectionally known as “KAT,” didn’t tip Harper’s inbound pass with one of his paws, the ball could have found Spurs guard Stephon Castle right at the rim for a potential game-winner.
San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama had set a back screen on Knicks guard Josh Hart. That opened the window for Castle to get a jump on Hart and make a bee-line for the cup. Slowed by the screen, Hart was left stumbling after a wide-open Castle in the paint.
Except, instead of receiving a lob, Castle had to come back to the ball, which Towns had subtly redirected. Castle couldn’t catch the disrupted pass cleanly, and then, by the time he corralled the rock, he was walled up by Hart.
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Castle didn’t even end up getting a shot off. New York rejoiced, with the Knicks having rallied from 29 points down, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, to take a commanding 3-1 series lead.
Johnson’s play call put Castle in the right position for a tip-in or dunk; however, Towns extended his 7-foot frame to negate the schematic chess move.
