The New York Knicks made history by achieving the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. They recovered from a 29-point deficit to narrowly defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. This dramatic victory puts them one game away from securing their first championship since 1973.
Final Moments Define the Game
With just 1.2 seconds left, OG Anunoby tipped in Jalen Brunson’s missed long 3-point attempt. This crucial play sealed the Knicks’ win and gave them a 3-1 lead in the finals. Jalen Brunson was pivotal, scoring 36 points, while Anunoby also impressed with 33 points.
“I told OG as big, as strong, as athletic as he is, he’s got to be a monster on the offensive glass tonight,” Knicks coach Mike Brown stated. “I don’t know if there was a play bigger than any other play in the history of Knicks basketball.”
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday night in San Antonio.
Historical Comeback Achieved
The Knicks set a record with their comeback, overturning a 29-point deficit. Previously, a 24-point comeback by Boston against the Lakers in 2008 held the record. The only larger comeback in playoff history was the Los Angeles Clippers overcoming a 31-point deficit against Golden State in 2019.
First Half Struggles
The game initially seemed out of reach, as the Spurs took a commanding 27-point halftime lead. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 24 points and 13 rebounds but struggled with his shooting, hitting just 9 of 25 from the field.
Despite a strong start by the Spurs, who made 11 of their first 16 3-pointers, their shooting cooled significantly in the second half. They scored only 30 points after halftime and hit 3 of 17 attempts from beyond the arc.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson noted, “We got on our heels — we missed some shots. It’s disappointing, to say the least.”
Key Moments in the Comeback
In the third quarter, the Knicks tightened their defense, holding the Spurs to just 14 points and executing a 13-0 run. By the start of the fourth quarter, they had reduced the gap to 90-75.
The Knicks have a reputation for being resilient. They previously overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter against Cleveland in another playoff game. Even when San Antonio briefly regained the lead with 30 seconds left, the Knicks maintained their composure.
Stephon Castle’s crucial free throws briefly put San Antonio ahead, but the Knicks rallied again. Dylan Harper scored 21 points for the Spurs, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell each contributed 18.
“I think it began before (the fourth quarter),” Wembanyama said about the collapse. “I can’t really explain it right now. I don’t know. … We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”
The Spurs started strong, taking a double-digit lead early and closing the first quarter 41-22. Julian Champagnie emphasized their dominance with a pivotal 3-pointer to extend the lead to 57-32.
Fans at Madison Square Garden experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, ultimately celebrating an incredible comeback as they chanted along to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.
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