Referee Report for Finals Game 4: Anunoby's Block on Fox Was Not a Foul, Two Missed Calls Benefited Each Side Once

On June 12, Beijing time, the NBA officially released the referee report for Finals Game 4. The report indicated that in the final two minutes, there were two missed or erroneous calls, one that hurt the Spurs and one that hurt the Knicks. Moreover, Anunoby's key block on Fox was ruled a clean play. Ultimately, the Knicks completed a stunning 29-point comeback, the largest comeback in Finals history, winning 107-106 over the Spurs and taking a 3-1 series lead. The Knicks now hold a championship point, needing just one more win for the title.

The first missed call occurred with 1 minute and 26 seconds left on the clock. Spurs player Victor Wembanyama stood with both feet on the three-second lane line, remaining in his own restricted area for more than three seconds without actively guarding an opposing player. This was a missed defensive three-second violation, benefiting the Spurs and disadvantaging the Knicks.

The second incorrect call happened with 1 minute and 2 seconds remaining. Josh Hart impeded Castle's dribble drive, but the referee mistakenly called Castle for stepping out of bounds. Reporter Siegel noted that the report used the term "impede," implying a foul, though the league did not explicitly call it a foul on Hart. However, the out-of-bounds call on Castle was confirmed as incorrect, hurting the Spurs and benefiting the Knicks.

The most talked-about play was Anunoby's block on Fox. The report stated that Anunoby made a legal block, knocking the ball out of Fox's hands before any incidental contact with Fox's arm occurred. It was not a foul.

In this game, for the Spurs, Wembanyama posted 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks, but shot only 9-of-25 from the field. Harper came off the bench to contribute 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, while Vassell and Fox each scored 18 points. The Spurs scored 76 points in the first half but only 30 in the second half. For the Knicks, Brunson recorded 36 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Anunoby added 33 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 three-pointers, including the game-winning putback. Towns contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. Game 5 of the Finals between the two teams will take place on June 14 in Beijing time, which could be the final NBA game of the season.