Knicks Erase 29-Point Deficit to Win Game 4, Seizing 107-106 Thriller Over Spurs

Q: Is OG Anunoby's epic performance the moment that finally ends the Knicks' 53-year championship drought?

No. OG Anunoby’s Game 4 heroics have not ended the Knicks’ 53-year title drought yet, but they may prove to be the defining moment that puts New York on the brink. Anunoby delivered one of the biggest plays in franchise history: a playoff career-high 33 points, a late block on De’Aaron Fox, and the go-ahead tip-in with 1.2 seconds left to complete a 29-point comeback, the largest in NBA Finals history. The win gave the Knicks a 3-1 lead over San Antonio, leaving them one victory from their first championship since 1973. The numbers strongly favor New York. Teams that go up 3-1 in a best-of-seven NBA Finals have historically gone on to win almost every time, with a 37-1 record. That makes Anunoby’s performance more than a great night; it has shifted the series decisively and may become the signature image of a championship run if the Knicks finish the job. Still, the drought officially remains in place until New York wins a fourth game. The Spurs have already shown they can win in this series, taking Game 3, and Game 5 returns to San Antonio. Even after their second-half collapse in Game 4, they still have Victor Wembanyama and enough talent to extend the Finals. So the fairest answer is that Anunoby’s performance was not the end of the drought, but it was the moment that most clearly put an end within reach.

Q: After a record-setting first half, what caused the Spurs' historic collapse in the NBA Finals?

The Spurs’ collapse was driven by a second-half offensive breakdown, poor late-game execution, and the Knicks’ defensive pressure. After a record first half in which San Antonio hit 14 three-pointers and scored 76 points, its attack fell apart. The Spurs managed only 30 points after halftime, shot just 20.5% from the field, and went cold from deep, making only a handful of threes after their early barrage. Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs’ guards struggled to get into the paint, and the offense drifted into low-quality jumpers instead of the ball movement and shot selection that built the lead. New York’s adjustments were central. The Knicks dominated the third quarter 26-14, tightened up defensively, and disrupted San Antonio’s rhythm by putting more pressure on the ball and switching OG Anunoby onto De’Aaron Fox. They also could not contain Jalen Brunson, who steadied the comeback and scored key fourth-quarter points. The final minutes exposed the Spurs’ inexperience and decision-making problems. Wembanyama missed crucial free throws, Fox attacked the rim instead of using more clock on a late possession, and San Antonio failed to secure the decisive rebound, allowing Anunoby to score the winning tip-in. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson and Wembanyama both pointed afterward to poor execution, inexperience, and a lack of urgency. That combination turned a 29-point lead and a historic first half into the biggest collapse in NBA Finals history.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Jun 11

OG Anunoby’s late tip-in capped a 29-point rally as New York beat San Antonio 107-106 at Madison Square Garden, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
The win sent Knicks fans into extended celebrations inside the arena and onto Manhattan streets, with many staying in their seats to absorb the moment.
Game 4 drew a celebrity-heavy crowd despite steep prices: get-in tickets still topped $3,300 after dropping about $10,000 following the Knicks’ Game 3 loss.
The comeback moved New York closer to its first NBA title since 1973 in its first Finals appearance since 1999, with Game 5 set for Saturday in San Antonio.