New York Knicks Edge Closer to Championship with Comeback Win

The New York Knicks stunned the basketball world with a remarkable comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. The game, played on June 10, 2026, in New York, saw the Knicks overturn a 29-point deficit to secure a 107-106 victory, placing them on the cusp of their first championship since 1973.

The thrilling win was sealed by OG Anunoby, who tipped in Jalen Brunson’s missed three-pointer with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock. This victory gave the Knicks a commanding 3-1 series lead, with three opportunities to claim the title.

Early in the game, the situation seemed dire for the Knicks as the Spurs opened up a 27-point lead by halftime. Yet, the Knicks managed an astonishing turnaround. Jalen Brunson played a vital role, scoring 36 points, while OG Anunoby contributed 33 points, including the decisive basket.

Knicks coach Mike Brown expressed awe at Anunoby’s decisive play, stating, “I told OG, as big, as strong, as athletic as he is, he’s got to be a monster on the offensive glass tonight. 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 night in San Antonio. No team had previously overcome such a deficit in NBA Finals history since detailed play-by-play records started in 1997. The previous largest comeback in the Finals was by Boston against the Lakers in 2008, recovering from a 24-point deficit.

In the third quarter of Game 4, the Spurs were leading 81-52, marking a potentially bleak outlook for the Knicks. However, the team showed resilience, especially in the second half, turning around the score dramatically and outscoring the Spurs 58-30.

The only larger comeback in playoff history was achieved by the Los Angeles Clippers, overturning a 31-point deficit against Golden State in 2019.

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

The game’s atmosphere was electric, with Madison Square Garden fans singing along to “Don’t Stop Believin'” during the improbable comeback. Spurs player Victor Wembanyama scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but struggled with a 9-for-25 shooting performance.

Interestingly, road teams had won the first three games of the series, a rare occurrence in Finals history. President Donald Trump was absent from the game, but singer Taylor Swift attended, drawing attention amid continued security restrictions around the arena.

Despite a difficult first half, the Knicks limited the Spurs to 14 points in the third quarter through aggressive play. A critical 13-0 run helped cut the deficit to 90-75 entering the fourth quarter.

This Knicks team has shown a tenacity that makes them formidable opponents. In this Finals run, they previously overcame a 22-point deficit in the Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland.

In the closing moments, Stephon Castle drew a foul and converted two free throws, momentarily putting San Antonio back in the lead. But the Knicks rallied once more with Anunoby’s game-winning effort.

Dylan Harper scored 21 points for the Spurs, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell each added 18. The Spurs hope to force a Game 6 back in New York come Tuesday.

Reflecting on the game, Wembanyama stated, “I think it began before the fourth quarter. I can’t really explain it right now. I don’t know. … We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”

Fans expressed hostility towards Wembanyama during warm-ups, and interactions on the court were intense, resulting in multiple flagrant fouls.

The Spurs took an early lead, opening 12-2, and extended it to 41-22 after the first quarter. Their three-point shooting was prolific early on, with Julian Champagnie’s shot extending their lead in the first half.