New York Knicks guard Jose Alvarado (5) reacts in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.
Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks added Jose Alvarado at the deadline via trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, and the undrafted guard went on to play a key role during the team’s run to the NBA championship. Alvarado re-signed on a three-year contract this offseason, but perhaps his biggest summer move to date was getting involved in a recent social media conversation with Knicks teammate Josh Hart.
It all begin with Josh Hart reminiscing about his blown layup late in the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, which could have been disastrous had the Knicks not won the game off OG Anunoby’s offensive rebound put-back. Jose Alvarado ribbed Hart about missing the layup with Hart’s retort being the Knicks changed Alvarado’s life. Alvarado quipped back with Hart’s life would have been different had the Knicks not held on to win that game.
Jokes aside, the Knicks were just the more poised and confident team no matter what during their NBA Finals series against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite the Spurs holding multiple double digit leads in almost each game, the Knicks’ confidence never wavered and they never quit playing.
But if the Knicks hadn’t come through in Game 4, the series would have been tied at two games apiece heading back to San Antonio.
Alvarado had a solid game off the bench in Game 4, finishing with eight points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field, including 2-of-3 shooting from the 3-point line, two rebounds and three assists in a little over 15 minutes.