They're one win away from ending a 53-year championship drought
In the long arc of sport as human metaphor, few nights speak as loudly as Wednesday's in New York — where the Knicks, written off by halftime, clawed back from 29 points down to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 on a tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining. It was the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, a reminder that scorecards are not verdicts. Now holding a 3-1 series lead, New York stands one win from its first championship in 53 years — a drought long enough to span generations of longing.
- San Antonio arrived at Madison Square Garden and built a 27-point halftime lead, the largest any visiting team had ever held in a Finals game — the Knicks looked not just beaten, but humiliated.
- The Spurs, who had torched the nets at will in the first half, went mysteriously cold after the break, converting just 3 of 17 three-point attempts as their commanding lead began to dissolve.
- Jalen Brunson poured in 36 points and OG Anunoby added 33, the two leading a relentless second-half charge that outscored San Antonio 58-30 over the final two quarters.
- With 30 seconds left, Stephon Castle's free throws put the Spurs back ahead 106-105 — then Brunson's desperation three rimmed out and Anunoby tipped it home with 1.2 seconds on the clock.
- The Knicks now lead 3-1 and can clinch their first title since 1973 in Game 5 on Saturday in San Antonio, while the Spurs face elimination on their home floor.
Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks did something no team had ever done in an NBA Finals — they erased a 29-point deficit to win 107-106, with OG Anunoby tipping in a missed three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. It was the kind of ending that justifies every improbable belief.
For most of the night, belief looked foolish. San Antonio dominated from the opening tip, building a 27-point halftime lead — the largest any visiting team had ever held in a Finals game. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs were nearly automatic from three, hitting 11 of their first 16 attempts. The Knicks trailed 81-52 in the third quarter and seemed headed for a second consecutive loss.
Then the Spurs went cold. They managed just 3-for-17 from deep in the second half, while New York outscored them 58-30 over the final two quarters. Brunson orchestrated the rally with 36 points, Anunoby added 33, and the deficit shrank from 29 to 15 to something suddenly manageable.
The finish was agonizing. Stephon Castle's free throws with 30 seconds left put San Antonio back ahead 106-105. But Brunson got one more look — his long three came up short — and Anunoby was there. The arena came apart. Wembanyama finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds but shot 9-for-25 and missed two critical free throws late. The previous Finals comeback record of 24 points had belonged to Boston since 2008.
Game 5 is Saturday in San Antonio. The Knicks, who also erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit against Cleveland in the conference finals, are one win from ending a 53-year championship drought.
The Knicks did something Wednesday night that no team had done before in an NBA Finals game. They came back from 29 points down to beat the Spurs 107-106, with OG Anunoby tipping in a miss with 1.2 seconds left on the clock. It was the kind of moment that makes you understand why people stay in arenas past midnight, why they sing along to Journey, why they believe in things that seem mathematically impossible.
For most of the night, belief seemed foolish. San Antonio had come to Madison Square Garden and simply dominated. The Spurs built a 27-point lead by halftime—the largest halftime advantage any visiting team had ever held in a Finals game. Victor Wembanyama and company were playing the kind of basketball that makes comebacks seem like fantasy. They'd made 11 of their first 16 three-pointers. They led 81-52 in the third quarter. The Knicks, who'd had their 13-game winning streak snapped in Game 3, looked headed for a second straight loss.
But something shifted in the second half. The Spurs, who had been nearly automatic from distance, suddenly couldn't find the rim. They went 3 for 17 from three-point range. Meanwhile, the Knicks outscored them 58-30 over the final two quarters. Jalen Brunson, who finished with 36 points, helped orchestrate the rally. OG Anunoby added 33. The Knicks cut the deficit to 15 by the end of the third quarter, then kept chipping away.
The ending was almost cruel in its tightness. Stephon Castle was fouled and made two free throws with 30 seconds remaining, putting San Antonio back ahead at 106-105. But the Knicks had one more possession left in them. Brunson's long three-pointer came up short, and Anunoby was there to finish it. The arena erupted. The Knicks now lead the series 3-1 and are three wins away from their first championship since 1973.
Mitch Johnson, the Spurs coach, was measured in his disappointment. "We got on our heels—we missed some shots," he said. It was an understatement. Wembanyama had 24 points and 13 rebounds but shot just 9 for 25 from the field. He also missed two crucial free throws with 1:47 left when San Antonio was still ahead. Dylan Harper scored 21 for the Spurs, while De'Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell each had 18.
The comeback was the largest in NBA Finals history. The previous record had been held by Boston, which came back from 24 points down against the Lakers in 2008. The only larger playoff comeback on record was the Clippers' 31-point rally against Golden State in a first-round series in 2019. Road teams had won the first three games of this series—only the second time that had happened in Finals history—and San Antonio seemed destined to make it four straight until the Knicks refused to let it happen.
Game 5 is Saturday night in San Antonio. The Spurs will try to extend the series back to New York for Game 6 on Tuesday. But the Knicks, who erased a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals, have shown they don't know how to quit. They're one win away from ending a 53-year championship drought.
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We got on our heels—we missed some shots. It's disappointing, to say the least.— Spurs coach Mitch Johnson
A Conversa do Hearth Outra perspectiva sobre a história
How does a team blow a 27-point halftime lead in the Finals? That's not just bad shooting—that's something else.
The Spurs got comfortable. They made 11 of their first 16 threes and thought they'd figured it out. Then the Knicks adjusted, tightened up defensively, and San Antonio just stopped making shots. Three for 17 in the second half. When you're that cold and the other team is that hot, the math changes fast.
But 29 points is still almost impossible. What was the turning point?
The third quarter. The Knicks went on a 13-0 run and cut it to 15. Once they got it under 20, you could feel the momentum shift. Brunson was relentless, Anunoby was everywhere. The Spurs started pressing, started missing more.
Wembanyama had a rough night despite the stats. What happened to him?
He shot 9 for 25. The Knicks got physical with him early—there were flagrant fouls called on both sides. He also missed two free throws late when they really mattered. Sometimes in a game like that, the young star just doesn't have it.
One second left. Brunson's three-pointer misses. Anunoby tips it in. Do you think he was even expecting to get that rebound?
He was in position. That's what separates good teams from great ones—they're ready for the chaos. The Knicks have been here before, erased big deficits before. They know how to stay in a game.
What does this mean for Saturday?
The Knicks can win a championship in San Antonio. The Spurs have to win and come back to New York. But after what just happened, I'm not sure San Antonio believes they can stop this team anymore.