You may think you’re the biggest sports fan on the planet, but the odds say that Darren Rovell has got you beat.
The sports business expert is the founder of Cllct and Kickstand Cocktails, is an investor in Athletic Brewing, Pop Up Bagels and a handful of other companies and has a sweet memorabilia collection.
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KickStand Cocktails founder Darren Rovell attends Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate on Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Getty Images)
But if there was one reason to question his sports fandom bona fides, it would be because he admittedly left Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs.
You know the one.
New York was down 29 points to San Antonio in what could have been a major momentum swing for the Spurs. But Jalen Brunson led a furious comeback and OG Anunoby tipped in the star guard’s missed free throw to win the game. It was only the most exciting basketball game since Ray Allen’s 3-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals saved the Miami Heat and likely LeBron James’ legacy.
Yes, that one.
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OG Anunoby celebrates after scoring the go-ahead basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the final seconds of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026. (Getty Images)
So, what gives?
Rovell explained it during his appearance on OutKick’s “The Craig Carton Show.”
“I left Game 4 at the half. I said, ‘This is the worst game I have ever been to,” Rovell said, adding that he was sitting in the press seats. “I came home and saw the ending and then I said, ‘All right, just for my psyche, I’m gonna have to get to Game 5.’”
Rovell made the trip to San Antonio for Game 5 and saw his Knicks top the Spurs 94-90 to win their first championship since 1973.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby makes a game-winning tip shot vs. the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. (Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images)
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Every Knicks fan will be celebrating the championship into the 2026-27 season and will remember where they were for that Game 4 miracle. Unfortunately, for Rovell and probably many others, it was back at home instead of Madison Square Garden.
