Knicks Make Historic Comeback in NBA Finals Against Spurs

Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart celebrated a thrilling win after Game 4 of the NBA Finals in New York. The Knicks achieved a historic comeback from a 29-point deficit, beating the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. OG Anunoby’s crucial tip-in with 1.2 seconds left ensured the Knicks’ victory, giving them a 3-1 series lead.

The game seemed out of reach with the Spurs holding a 27-point lead at halftime. Jalen Brunson inspired the Knicks’ rally with 36 points, while Anunoby added 33. As Brunson’s long-distance shot bounced off the rim, Anunoby seized the moment with a timely follow-up.

“I told OG as big, as strong, as athletic as he is, he’s got to be a monster on the offensive glass tonight,” said Knicks coach Mike Brown. “I don’t know if there was a play bigger than any other play in the history of Knicks basketball.”

Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday in San Antonio. The Knicks’ comeback set a new finals record, surpassing a 24-point turnaround by Boston against the Lakers in 2008. The Spurs once led 81-52 in the third quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns and Stephon Castle fought for possession during the intense second half. The only greater playoff comeback was the Los Angeles Clippers’ 31-point recovery against Golden State in 2019. The Knicks’ 13-game winning streak ended in Game 3, and they faced another potential defeat in the first half. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs built the largest halftime lead by an away team in a finals match. However, a significant shooting slump in the second half allowed the Knicks to turn the game around, outscoring the Spurs 58-30.

“We got on our heels; we missed some shots,” commented Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “It’s disappointing, to say the least.”

Fans at Madison Square Garden were ecstatic during the comeback, singing along to “Don’t Stop Believin'”. Wembanyama, despite 24 points and 13 rebounds, managed only 9 for 25 shooting. Road teams had won the previous three games, marking a rare occurrence in the finals, and the Spurs seemed poised for another victory.

Taylor Swift attended the game amid heightened security, similar to when President Donald Trump was present for Game 3. The Knicks canceled plans for an outdoor watch party outside the arena due to the circumstances. The uninspiring first half left little for fans to cheer about, but a strong defensive effort in the third quarter helped cut the deficit. A 13-0 run within the period fueled their resurgence.

Resilience defined these Knicks, having overturned a 22-point deficit against Cleveland earlier in the Eastern Conference finals. Even when San Antonio briefly reclaimed the lead, the Knicks responded once more. With 30 seconds remaining, they rallied again after Spurs’ Stephon Castle’s free throws.

Fans celebrated at a watch party in Central Park during the game. Dylan Harper scored 21 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell each tallied 18 for the Spurs as they aimed to recover and bring the series back to New York for Game 6.

“I think it began before (the fourth quarter),” Wembanyama reflected on their collapse. “I can’t really explain it right now. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”

Wembanyama faced a hostile reception, with Knicks fans booing his pre-game warm-up. The Knicks played physically, with Robinson receiving a flagrant foul and Jose Alvarado’s actions reviewed. Wembanyama, who dealt with these challenges, missed crucial free throws with 1:47 left, when the Spurs were narrowly ahead.

The Spurs quickly established a 12-2 lead, maintaining double-digit advantages in the first quarter across all series games. By the end of the first quarter, the Spurs led 41-22 and further extended it to 57-32 as they hit 11 of 16 three-point attempts early on.