Knicks Complete Historic 29-Point Comeback, Beat Spurs 107-106 for 3-1 NBA Finals Lead/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Knicks erased a record 29-point deficit and defeated the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining completed one of the greatest comebacks in Finals history and gave New York a commanding 3-1 series lead. The Knicks are now one victory away from their first NBA championship since 1973.
Knicks Comeback Quick Looks
- Knicks defeated Spurs 107-106 in Game 4.
- New York erased a 29-point deficit.
- OG Anunoby scored the winning basket with 1.2 seconds left.
- Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 36 points.
- Anunoby added 33 points.
- Spurs led by 27 points at halftime.
- Victor Wembanyama finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds.
- New York outscored San Antonio 58-30 in the second half.
- Knicks now lead the NBA Finals 3-1.
- Game 5 will be played Saturday in San Antonio.
Deep Look
Knicks Produce One of the Greatest NBA Finals Comebacks Ever
Madison Square Garden witnessed a performance that will be remembered for generations as the New York Knicks rallied from a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 and move within one victory of an NBA championship.
The dramatic victory was capped by OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in with just 1.2 seconds remaining, completing the largest comeback ever recorded in an NBA Finals game.
For a franchise seeking its first title since 1973, the victory represented another chapter in a postseason run filled with resilience, late-game heroics and unforgettable moments.
“That has to be the most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said.
Anunoby Delivers Legendary Finish
The decisive play came after Jalen Brunson launched a long three-point attempt in the final seconds.
When the shot struck the front rim, Anunoby soared above defenders and redirected the ball softly into the basket with his right hand.
The crowd inside Madison Square Garden erupted as the basket gave New York its first lead since the opening minutes.
“Right hand from God,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said.
The play instantly entered Knicks postseason lore and may ultimately become one of the defining moments in franchise history.
Anunoby finished with 33 points while delivering the biggest basket of his career.
Knicks Face Massive Early Deficit
Few inside Madison Square Garden could have imagined a comeback after the opening two quarters.
San Antonio dominated from the start.
The Spurs built a 12-2 advantage early and continued their offensive assault throughout the first half.
Their hot shooting, especially from three-point range, allowed them to build a stunning 57-32 lead before extending the margin even further.
By halftime, San Antonio led by 27 points, the largest halftime advantage by a visiting team in NBA Finals history.
The deficit eventually reached 29 points midway through the third quarter when the Spurs led 81-52.
At that moment, the game appeared effectively over.
Brunson Leads the Charge
As they have throughout the postseason, the Knicks relied on Jalen Brunson to ignite their comeback.
Brunson attacked relentlessly, scoring 36 points while creating opportunities for teammates throughout the second half.
His leadership helped keep New York composed despite facing what appeared to be an impossible challenge.
The Knicks gradually chipped away at the deficit.
A 13-0 run late in the third quarter gave the crowd hope and cut the margin significantly entering the final period.
By the start of the fourth quarter, momentum had completely shifted.
Defense Changes Everything
While Brunson supplied the offense, New York’s defense transformed the game.
The Spurs scored only 14 points in the third quarter and struggled to generate quality shots after dominating the opening half.
San Antonio made only 4 of 20 shots during the quarter.
The Spurs, who had connected on 11 of their first 16 three-point attempts, suddenly went cold.
Over the second half they shot just 3-for-17 from beyond the arc.
New York capitalized on every mistake and steadily turned the game into a one-possession battle.
“We got on our heels — we missed some shots,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s disappointing, to say the least.”
Knicks Continue Their Postseason Pattern
This postseason has featured several dramatic New York comebacks.
The Knicks previously erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit against Cleveland in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Game 4 against San Antonio was an even greater challenge.
“We’re a resilient group. We’ve been through a lot,” Anunoby said. “We’ve come back plenty of times when we’re behind. Just staying with it, weathering the storm, not being too down or angry or frustrated.”
Forward Josh Hart described the team’s mentality as the deficit slowly shrank.
“You look at it when you’re down 29 of, ‘OK, let’s get it to 20.’ There’s three minutes left in the third quarter, we’re down 18, you’re thinking, ‘Let’s get it to 10,” Hart said.
“In the fourth quarter, you’re like, this is winning time. Anything can happen.”
Spurs Collapse After Dominating Early
San Antonio appeared fully in control for most of the evening.
Victor Wembanyama was effective early and helped establish the huge lead.
The Spurs superstar finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds but struggled offensively late, shooting just 9-for-25 from the field.
One key moment came with less than two minutes remaining when Wembanyama missed two crucial free throws that could have provided additional breathing room.
“I think it began before (the fourth quarter),” Wembanyama said of the Spurs’ collapse. “I can’t really explain it right now. I don’t know. … We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”
Dylan Harper added 21 points for San Antonio, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell each contributed 18.
Madison Square Garden Erupts
The atmosphere inside Madison Square Garden transformed dramatically over the final two quarters.
What began as a frustrated crowd watching its team fall hopelessly behind evolved into one of the loudest celebrations in recent Knicks history.
Fans who spent much of the first half stunned into silence were eventually singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” after the final buzzer.
The comeback instantly became one of the defining moments in the arena’s storied basketball history.
Knicks One Win Away From Championship
The victory gives New York a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game 5 shifts to San Antonio on Saturday night, where the Spurs must win to keep their season alive.
History strongly favors New York.
Only one team in NBA Finals history — the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers — has successfully overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win the championship.
For the Knicks, the long-awaited return to basketball’s summit is now just one victory away.
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