The New York Knicks secured one of the greatest comebacks in NBA Finals history Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Down by as many as 29 points, the team rallied to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead. OG Anunoby’s tip-in with seconds remaining sent the arena into absolute pandemonium and left the Spurs on the brink of elimination.
The winning sequence came off a missed three-pointer by Jalen Brunson. Anunoby tracked the ball perfectly and tipped it through the basket, completing what head coach Mike Brown called the greatest play in franchise history. San Antonio failed to get a shot off on the final inbound attempt, sealing their fate as the crowd reached deafening levels.
Early foul trouble derails Knicks’ first half performance
The game appeared headed in a completely different direction from the opening tip. Karl-Anthony Towns was whistled for two fouls in the first 62 seconds, drawing loud protests from the Madison Square Garden faithful. The early foul trouble forced Towns to the bench and changed the entire complexion of the contest. Without their star center anchoring the defense and providing interior offense, the Knicks struggled to find any rhythm.
San Antonio capitalized immediately on Towns’ absence. The Spurs opened the game with a blistering 41-20 run, dominating both ends of the floor. Their perimeter shooting proved particularly devastating, as they connected on 54 percent of their three-point attempts in the first half. The home crowd sat in stunned silence as the deficit ballooned. By halftime, San Antonio had built a commanding 76-49 advantage, and the lead grew to 29 points early in the third quarter.
Third quarter spark ignites improbable rally
The Knicks began chipping away late in the third period. They cut the deficit to 15 points entering the final quarter, breathing life back into the crowd that had been waiting for any reason to erupt. San Antonio appeared to answer early in the fourth, pushing the lead back to 20 points and seemingly putting the game out of reach. But New York refused to surrender.
The comeback gained momentum with a 13-2 run that trimmed the deficit to just nine points with seven minutes remaining. The Knicks’ defensive intensity increased with each possession. They forced turnovers, contested every shot, and crashed the offensive glass. The lead shrunk to seven with 5:15 left on the clock. Madison Square Garden grew louder with each basket. The building sensed something special unfolding.
Final minutes produce unforgettable drama
The gap narrowed to four points with 4:32 remaining. The Spurs called timeout to stem the tide, but the Knicks kept coming. New York pulled within one possession with two minutes left. The Garden reached fever pitch levels. Fans stood on their feet, screaming with every defensive stop and offensive possession. The impossible suddenly seemed within reach.
- The Knicks tied the game with 90 seconds remaining
- They took their first lead since the opening minutes moments later
- San Antonio regained the lead on two free throws with 30.3 seconds left
- Brunson missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer in the final seconds
- Anunoby secured the offensive rebound and scored the game-winner
The final 90 seconds featured four lead changes and countless momentum swings. Neither team could establish control. Every possession carried enormous weight. When the Spurs converted two free throws to reclaim the lead with 30.3 seconds remaining, it appeared they might escape with the victory. But the Knicks had one final opportunity.
Second half domination completes remarkable turnaround
The statistical turnaround proved as impressive as the final score. New York outscored San Antonio 58-30 in the second half, completely reversing the game’s trajectory. The Knicks’ defensive adjustments limited the Spurs’ three-point shooting and forced them into difficult shots. On offense, they attacked the basket relentlessly, drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line.
Towns returned to the game in the second half and provided crucial minutes despite his early foul trouble. His presence in the paint altered San Antonio’s offensive approach and opened up driving lanes for New York’s guards. The home team’s bench contributed key baskets and defensive stops throughout the rally. Every player who entered the game made meaningful contributions to the comeback effort.
The victory puts the Knicks one win away from their first NBA championship in decades. They can clinch the title in Game 5 back at Madison Square Garden, where the crowd will certainly provide maximum energy. San Antonio faces elimination and must win three straight games to claim the championship. The Spurs will need to regroup quickly and find answers to stop New York’s momentum. History suggests that recovering from a 29-point blown lead in the Finals represents a nearly insurmountable psychological challenge.
