The New York Knicks are one victory away from ending decades of championship heartbreak after producing the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.
Trailing by as many as 29 points in the first half, the Knicks staged a remarkable turnaround behind the brilliance of Jalen Brunson and Ogugua ‘OG’ Anunoby to seize a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series.
Brunson delivered another masterclass with 36 points and seven assists, while Anunoby added 33 points, including the game-winning tip-in with just 1.2 seconds remaining to complete one of the most dramatic victories ever witnessed on the NBA’s biggest stage.
The win leaves New York on the verge of capturing its first NBA title since 1973, while the Spurs now face the daunting challenge of overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to keep their championship hopes alive.
Spurs Dominate Early as Knicks Struggle
San Antonio appeared destined to level the series after a dominant first-half display. The Spurs overwhelmed the Knicks with relentless defense and red-hot shooting, racing to a 41-22 lead after the opening quarter before extending their advantage to 76-49 by halftime.
Victor Wembanyama led the early charge with 16 first-half points, while rookie sensation Dylan Harper contributed 15 points as San Antonio buried an NBA Finals-record 14 three-pointers before the break.
The Knicks struggled to find rhythm, with Karl-Anthony Towns hampered by foul trouble and New York’s offense repeatedly disrupted by the Spurs’ aggressive defensive schemes. At one point, Madison Square Garden fell silent as the visitors threatened to turn Game 4 into a rout.
However, the Knicks slowly found life in the third quarter. Brunson began attacking the basket more aggressively, while Anunoby rediscovered his shooting touch from beyond the arc. New York trimmed the deficit to 15 points entering the fourth quarter, providing a glimmer of hope for the home crowd.
That hope quickly turned into belief.
Anunoby Delivers the Defining Moment
The Knicks opened the final quarter with relentless energy, putting together a series of defensive stops while steadily chipping away at the Spurs’ lead. Anunoby drained key three-pointers, Towns contributed crucial baskets, and Brunson took control in trademark fashion.
With just over a minute remaining, Brunson’s floating jumper gave New York its first lead of the night at 105-104, sending the Garden crowd into a frenzy. Yet the drama was far from over.
Spurs guard Stephon Castle calmly converted two free throws with 30 seconds left to restore San Antonio’s lead at 106-105. On the ensuing possession, De’Aaron Fox appeared poised to secure victory for the Spurs, but Anunoby produced a huge defensive play, blocking Fox’s layup attempt and giving New York one final chance.
After inbounding the ball, Anunoby watched Brunson drive toward the basket through a double-team. Brunson’s attempt bounced off the rim, but Anunoby sprinted into position and tipped the ball home with 1.2 seconds remaining to give the Knicks a dramatic 107-106 advantage.
A desperate final attempt from San Antonio failed, sparking wild celebrations throughout Madison Square Garden.
Anunoby finished with seven three-pointers and delivered the defining play of the night, while Brunson once again proved why he has become the heartbeat of New York’s postseason run.
Wembanyama finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, while Harper and Devin Vassell also made significant contributions. Yet San Antonio’s outstanding first-half performance was ultimately overshadowed by New York’s relentless fightback.
The victory marked only the second NBA Finals series in history to feature two games decided by a single point and will be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks ever seen in championship basketball.
Now, with a 3-1 series advantage, the Knicks head into Game 5 knowing they are just one win away from ending a 53-year wait for NBA glory.
READ ALSO: French President Macron Headlines Ghana’s Dialogue on Reparatory Justice
