The New York Knicks have secured their first match points with a historic comeback. Despite trailing by 29 points, the Knicks turned Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs around, prevailing 107-106 in a dramatic contest and now need just one more win to celebrate their first championship in 53 years.
What a comeback by the New York Knicks. The hosts were down by 29 points, but O.G. Anunoby flew in at the last second for an offensive rebound and tipped the ball into the basket for the lead. Moments earlier, the forward had blocked De’Aaron Fox, who was driving to the basket and refused to be fouled on the fast break. After that, the Spurs couldn’t get a shot off following a timeout.
Anunoby was also the standout player on the court with 33 points; the Knicks’ top scorer was Jalen Brunson (36, 12/25 FG). For the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama (24 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Dylan Harper (21 points, 8-of-12 shooting) were the top scorers, but like the rest of the team, they didn’t accomplish much after halftime.
Both teams stuck with their usual starting lineups, but the Knicks had to react quickly as Towns picked up his second foul just 65 seconds into the game. Once again, the Spurs got off to a much better start. After a three-pointer by Vassell, the score quickly jumped to 12-2, forcing the Knicks to call their first timeout. New York immediately stepped up defensively, but additional three-pointers from Stephon Castle and Vassell preserved the double-digit lead.
Spurs dominate the first half
Hukporti also got his chance for just under two minutes, but Wembanyama immediately sank a three-pointer over the German. San Antonio succeeded at almost everything in the first quarter, while Brunson failed to make a single field goal. The Knicks looked frustrated, and Mitchell Robinson was called for a Flagrant 1 foul for an elbow to Wembanyama. The Spurs already led 41-22 after the first twelve minutes—the largest lead of the series for either team.
Although the Knicks were now scoring a bit better, San Antonio was fully in the flow. The visitors hit five three-pointers in five minutes, and the Knicks couldn’t close the gap. Coach Mike Brown had already tried twelve different players and four centers by then. The arena fell silent as the Spurs continued to make tough shots and defend passionately. Brunson was now scoring more (15 points in the second quarter), but he didn’t have it easy. The lead grew to 29 points; at halftime, the score was 76-49—the largest Finals lead by a visiting team in NBA history.
Anunoby seals historic Knicks comeback
The question was: Could New York generate some momentum with a small push? Castle, at least, had to head to the bench early with four fouls. After a 7-0 run by the Knicks, capped off by a Brunson three-pointer, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson finally called a timeout (81-59). The visitors’ jumpers weren’t falling anymore, but solid defense kept the damage to a minimum. After more than six minutes, San Antonio finally scored another field goal via Harper (87-68), but now it was Brunson who was on fire.
San Antonio responded at just the right moment, however, as Vassell sank his fifth three-pointer. Nevertheless, the Spurs were now making more mistakes, especially Fox with two turnovers in a row. New York wasn’t beaten yet; San Antonio led 90-75 heading into the final quarter. But it took the Knicks a while; then Towns and Anunoby hit three-pointers, and suddenly the deficit was in single digits midway through the fourth quarter (13-2 run).
And so it continued. The Spurs could barely get into the paint, and their jumpers were all short. Anunoby even cut the deficit to four points; Fox calmed the nerves somewhat with a three-pointer, but New York kept closing in. Brunson made it 103-104, but then Josh Hart squandered the lead on a fast break. Wemby also showed nerves, missing two free throws, and Brunson gave the Knicks their first lead with a floater with 90 seconds left. Castle turned the game around again with free throws, but then came Anunoby’s decisive plays.
The Knicks will have their first chance to clinch their first championship in 53 years in three days, when home-court advantage shifts back to the Spurs. The game takes place at 2:30 a.m. (CET) on Sunday morning.
