Knicks Make History with Stunning Game 4 Comeback Against Spurs

The New York Knicks achieved a remarkable feat in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, erasing a staggering 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 on June 10 at Madison Square Garden. The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, dominated early on, establishing a significant lead during the first half. However, their momentum waned after the break, as they struggled with their shooting, going just 6-for-34 (17.6%) to start the second half. A flagrant foul from the Defensive Player of the Year also shifted the tide, allowing the Knicks to steadily close the gap. OG Anunoby clinched the victory with a decisive shot just 1.2 seconds before the final buzzer.

In this historic game, Anunoby scored 33 points, while Jalen Brunson contributed an impressive 36 points along with 5 rebounds and 7 assists. This comeback marked the largest in NBA Finals history, putting the Knicks ahead 3-1 in the series. Notably, it was the first victory at home for either team in this matchup, following a trend where the initial three games were won by visiting teams. Historically, teams that take Game 4 in such series have a strong winning record of 13-3.

Several eye-opening statistics emerged from this thrilling matchup: the Knicks' 29-point comeback stands as the largest in NBA Finals history; teams in the playoffs had previously only managed a 4-750 record when trailing by 20 or more points in the fourth quarter over the last three decades, according to NBA statistician Keerthika Uthayakumar. During the past two years, the Knicks have shown resilience, winning 5 of 8 playoff games after falling behind by 20 or more points, while the rest of the league has only managed 4 victories out of 71 attempts, as reported by AP journalist Josh Dubow.

In the first half, the Spurs had some notable achievements before losing their lead: they recorded 14 three-pointers, the most ever in a Finals half, with contributions from Devin Vassell (4), De'Aaron Fox (3), and others. Their 76 points marked the highest scoring first half for a visiting team in Finals history, and they also established a 19-point lead in the first quarter, a new record for road teams.

Wembanyama has been making headlines throughout the playoffs, notably setting a record with 12 blocks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals and becoming the youngest player to score over 40 points and grab more than 20 rebounds in a Conference Finals game. The excitement surrounding Wembanyama is so intense that even Wendy's contemplated a rebranding in his honor. Next up, Game 5 of the NBA Finals will take place on Saturday, June 13, at 8:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio.