The New York Knicks staged one of the most improbable comebacks in NBA history, erasing a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, according to news.google.com. The victory, fueled by OG Anunoby’s game-winning play and Jalen Brunson’s 36-point performance, put the Knicks one win away from their first championship since 1973, as reported by Respublika.lt.
The Historic Comeback
The Knicks trailed by 29 points in the third quarter of Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, a margin that had never been overcome in NBA Finals history, according to news.google.com. San Antonio led 83-54 at the start of the fourth quarter, but New York mounted a relentless rally, outscoring the Spurs 53-23 in the final 12 minutes. The comeback surpassed the previous record of a 24-point deficit overcome by the Boston Celtics in 2008, as noted by Respublika.lt.
“This is the biggest comeback in Finals history,” said Knicks coach Mike Brown, per Respublika.lt. “We never stopped believing, even when it looked impossible.”
The final moments were defined by Anunoby’s last-second heroics. With 1.2 seconds left, Brunson’s three-pointer was blocked by Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, but Anunoby recovered the rebound and scored the game-winning layup, according to news.google.com. The play drew comparisons to the “greatest shot in Knicks history” by fans and analysts alike.
Player Performances and Key Moments
Jalen Brunson was the driving force for New York, scoring 36 points, dishing out 7 assists, and grabbing 5 rebounds. His performance was matched by OG Anunoby, who added 33 points and 13 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, as detailed by news.google.com.
The Spurs, despite the loss, showed flashes of dominance. Wembanyama finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox added 18 points and 7 assists. However, their defense faltered in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knicks to outscore them 32-16 in the final frame, according to BasketNews.lt.
A pivotal moment came when Fox attempted a desperation three-pointer with 16 seconds left, only to have it blocked by Anunoby. The play drew sharp criticism from NBA analysts, including Charles Barkley, who called the Spurs’ decision-making “the worst in history,” as reported by BasketNews.lt.
For more on this story, see Wembanyama’s Missed Shot Hands Knicks 2-0 Lead in NBA Finals.
Analysts’ Reactions to the Shocking Defeat
The game’s outcome sparked fierce criticism of the Spurs’ coaching staff and decision-making. Charles Barkley, a Hall of Fame player and ESPN analyst, called the Spurs “the dumbest team in NBA history” during a postgame segment on Inside the NBA, according to BasketNews.lt. He criticized the team’s inability to protect their lead, noting that they “shot eight three-pointers in a row” while the Knicks were “getting easy looks.”
“They gave the Knicks a Christmas gift in June,” Barkley said, per BasketNews.lt. “When you’re up 29, you don’t let the other team score 32 points in the fourth quarter.”
Shaquille O’Neal echoed Barkley’s sentiments, stating that the Spurs “played like they were already celebrating the championship” and failed to adjust to New York’s relentless pressure. Magic Johnson, another NBA legend, predicted the Knicks would win the series, calling the Spurs’ performance “unforgivable,” as reported by 15min.lt.
Despite the criticism, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich defended his team’s approach. “We believed we could win,” he said, per news.google.com. “But the Knicks outplayed us in the fourth quarter. That’s the story of the game.”
What’s Next for the Series
The Knicks now hold a 3-1 series lead, with the fifth and likely final game set for Sunday night in San Antonio. A victory would mark the team’s first NBA title since 1973, ending a 53-year championship drought, as noted by Respublika.lt.
The Spurs, meanwhile, face a daunting challenge. No team has ever come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, according to historical records. However, the Spurs’ 2007 championship run, which saw them overcome a 2-1 deficit against the Suns, offers a glimmer of hope, per news.google.com.
For the Knicks, the focus is on maintaining their momentum. “We’ve proven we can win in any situation,” Brunson said, per news.google.com. “Our goal is to finish what we started.”
The game’s outcome has already sparked debates about its place in NBA history. The 29-point comeback is being compared to the 2008 Celtics’ 24-point rally against the Lakers, but analysts argue the Knicks’ feat is more remarkable due to the high stakes of the Finals, as reported by 15min.lt.
As the series heads to San Antonio, all eyes will be on whether the Knicks can close out the championship or if the Spurs can pull off one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.
Find more reporting in our Sport section.
