The New York Knicks are on the brink of securing their first championship since 1973 after pulling off a record-breaking comeback to defeat the San Antonio Spurs. In a dramatic Game 4 of the NBA Finals held on Wednesday night in New York, the Knicks triumphed 107-106. OG Anunoby tipped in Jalen Brunson’s missed long three-pointer with only 1.2 seconds left, completing the team’s rally and bringing their lead to 3-1 in the series.
The game began unfavorably for the Knicks, as the Spurs surged to a 27-point advantage at halftime. Despite this, Jalen Brunson scored 36 points, while OG Anunoby contributed 33, including the game-winning tip-in. Knicks coach Mike Brown lauded Anunoby’s effort on the offensive glass, emphasizing the significance of his play.
The upcoming Game 5 will be in San Antonio on Saturday night. This victory by the Knicks marks the largest comeback in an NBA Finals game since the establishment of detailed play-by-play records in 1997. The Spurs had previously held a commanding lead of 81-52 during the third quarter.
Previously, the largest comeback in any playoff game was by the Los Angeles Clippers, who overcame a 31-point deficit against Golden State in 2019. The Knicks had previously seen their 13-game winning streak snapped in Game 3, yet they showed resilience in Game 4.
The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, established the largest halftime lead for a visiting team in finals history. However, their performance declined in the second half as the Knicks outscored them 58-30. Coach Mitch Johnson expressed disappointment in the team’s second-half performance.
Madison Square Garden was filled with excitement, with fans singing along to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'”. Victor Wembanyama, who had 24 points and 13 rebounds, struggled in the latter half, shooting 9 for 25 from the field. Road teams had secured victories in the first three games of the finals, a rare occurrence in NBA history.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump was absent from the game, though Taylor Swift was among the spectators. Due to security restrictions from the prior game, the Knicks canceled plans for an outdoor watch party. During the game, the Knicks curtailed the Spurs to only 14 points on 4-for-20 shooting in the third quarter, using a 13-0 run to reduce the Spurs’ lead.
New York demonstrated resilience by coming back despite trailing by 22 points previously in the Eastern Conference finals. In Game 4, this determination re-emerged as they staged another comeback after Stephon Castle’s free throws gave San Antonio a brief lead.
Meanwhile, Knicks fans celebrated at a watch party in Central Park. Dylan Harper contributed 21 points for the Spurs, with De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell each adding 18. The Spurs will attempt to adjust for Game 5 to extend their finals hopes.
Wembanyama faced boos from fans during warm-ups and encountered physical play from the Knicks. Mitchell Robinson and Jose Alvarado faced flagrant fouls for aggressive actions against him. Despite shooting struggles, Wembanyama played a key role but lamented over missed opportunities, including two late free throws.
The Spurs initially jumped out to a 12-2 lead, securing a double-digit advantage for all four games’ first quarters. They expanded their lead further, reaching 57-32 with Julian Champagnie’s successful three-pointer showcasing their early dominance.