The New York Knicks achieved a historic comeback, overturning a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. This victory on Wednesday night moves them to the brink of their first championship since 1973. OG Anunoby made a decisive tip-in off Jalen Brunson’s missed 3-point shot with only 1.2 seconds remaining. The win gives the Knicks a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, providing them with three chances to secure the title.
Initially, the game seemed out of reach when the Spurs stormed to a 27-point halftime lead. However, Brunson spearheaded the Knicks’ comeback with an impressive 36 points, and Anunoby contributed 33. The comeback took place in Game Four at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026.
Historic Comeback
No team had previously overcome more than a 24-point deficit in a finals game since Boston’s win against the Lakers in 2008. The Spurs led 81-52 in the third quarter. The largest recorded comeback in any playoff game is 31 points by the Los Angeles Clippers against Golden State in 2019.
The Knicks had recently lost their 13-game winning streak in Game 3 and appeared headed for a second defeat. The Spurs, with significant contributions from Victor Wembanyama, opened with a historic halftime lead. Initially, they made 11 of 16 three-point attempts, but they faltered in the second half, managing only 3 of 17. The Knicks outscored them 58-30 during this period.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expressed frustration: “We got on our heels — we missed some shots. It’s disappointing, to say the least.”
Fans’ Support and Strategy Shifts
Inside Madison Square Garden, jubilant fans sang along to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The atmosphere was electric as it felt almost improbable to witness such a comeback. Wembanyama scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, though he only made 9 of 25 shots. Road teams had won the first three games of the series, an occurrence that had only happened once before in the finals, and San Antonio nearly made it four in a row.
President Donald Trump was absent from Game 4, though Taylor Swift attended, maintaining the security precautions at Madison Square Garden similar to those during Game 3. This situation frustrated the Knicks, leading them to cancel an outdoor watch party originally planned outside the venue.
Initially, the Knicks had little to celebrate in the first half. However, they managed to hold the Spurs to 14 points on 4-for-20 shooting in the third quarter, sparking a 13-0 run and reducing the deficit to 90-75 by the end of the quarter.
Game’s Final Moments
These resilient Knicks, who overcame a 22-point deficit against Cleveland in an earlier playoff match, kept pushing even when the odds seemed against them. Despite a late lead change after Stephon Castle’s free throws briefly put San Antonio in front, the Knicks rallied again. Dylan Harper chipped in with 21 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell each added 18 for the Spurs.
The Spurs aim to regroup and force a return to New York for Game 6 scheduled for Tuesday. Fans jeered at Wembanyama during warm-ups, while the Knicks attempted to disrupt his play physically. Mitchell Robinson was called for a flagrant foul against Wembanyama, who missed two crucial free throws with San Antonio leading 104-103.