Knicks Chase 1st Title Since 1973 in Game 5 as 3-1 Finals Lead Nears Finish

Q: Is OG Anunoby's consistent heroics enough to secure the Finals MVP and deliver New York its long-awaited championship?

Yes. If the Knicks finish the job, OG Anunoby has a strong enough case to win Finals MVP, and his play is a major reason New York is one win from its first title since 1973. Anunoby’s argument is built on both consistency and moment-defining plays. Through four games, he is averaging roughly 23.8 points on 58% shooting, 55% from three and 91% at the line, while also providing elite defense. In Game 4, he scored 33 points, hit seven threes, blocked De’Aaron Fox in a critical late sequence, and then tipped in the winning basket with 1.2 seconds left to complete the largest halftime comeback in NBA postseason history. That said, the award is not settled. Jalen Brunson is still the other serious contender, leading the Knicks in scoring at 29.5 points per game and carrying much of the offensive burden. Betting markets still place Brunson slightly ahead, even as Anunoby’s odds have surged after Game 4. If New York wins Game 5 and Anunoby again delivers the biggest two-way plays, the balance could shift decisively. As for the championship, Anunoby’s heroics have put New York in commanding position, but they are not enough by themselves. The Knicks still need to avoid an emotional drop-off against a Spurs team that has led by double digits in every game and believes its mistakes are fixable. History strongly favors New York at 3-1, but closing out the Finals will still require another complete team performance.

Q: Can the Spurs overcome their historic collapses and mental errors to force a Game 6 against the resilient Knicks?

Yes, but only if San Antonio fixes the exact issues that have cost it this series. The Spurs have shown they are capable of forcing a Game 6 because they have led all four Finals games by double digits, are back home for Game 5, and are still favored. Victor Wembanyama has produced elite stretches, Keldon Johnson remains confident, and coach Mitch Johnson believes the losses came from “correctable” mistakes rather than a talent gap. That matters in a series where every game has been within one possession in the final two minutes. The problem is that San Antonio’s mistakes have been severe and repeated. Game 4 was not just a loss; it was a historic collapse. The Spurs blew a 29-point lead, scored only 30 points in the second half after 76 in the first, missed key free throws, and faltered in late-game execution. Those are not small details against a Knicks team that has repeatedly proven it can survive pressure and punish lapses. New York’s edge is mental resilience and closing ability. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby have been the most reliable late-game players in the series, and the Knicks have already won three road games in San Antonio. Their Game 4 comeback, from a 0.4% win-probability spot, reinforced that they do not panic. So the Spurs can force Game 6, but the evidence says they must play nearly a complete game to do it. If the same mental errors return, the Knicks are well positioned to finish the series in five.

Q: Will the Knicks defy betting odds as road underdogs to finally end their 53-year championship drought tomorrow?

Yes—the Knicks have a strong, credible chance to do it, even as 5.5-point road underdogs. The clearest evidence is the series itself. New York leads 3-1, and teams in that position are 37-1 in NBA Finals history. The Knicks have already won three games in San Antonio in this series, including Games 1, 2 and 4, so their road-underdog status is not theoretical. They have also covered eight straight road games in the playoffs, and some betting analysis has leaned to the Knicks moneyline at around +164. Their case rests on more than momentum. Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby have been the most reliable late-game players in a series where every game has been tight in the closing minutes. Anunoby is shooting 58% in the Finals and delivered the winning tip-in in Game 4, while Brunson had 36 points in that comeback. New York has shown unusual poise under pressure. The caution is that San Antonio has led all four games by double digits and remains favored for a reason. The Spurs were 32-8 at home in the regular season, have not lost three straight home games all year, and believe their mistakes—free throws, late decisions, and lineup management around Victor Wembanyama—are fixable. A letdown from the Knicks after an emotional Game 4 is a real risk. So the betting market still favors San Antonio in Game 5, but the broader evidence slightly favors New York to finish the job and end the 53-year drought tomorrow.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 12

Saturday’s Game 5 gives New York its first chance to clinch an NBA title since 1973 after erasing a 29-point deficit in Game 4 to seize a 3-1 series lead.
37 of 38 teams that led 3-1 in the Finals went on to win, but San Antonio has built double-digit leads in all four games and still believes its mistakes are fixable.
Victor Wembanyama looms as the pivotal figure after playing 44 minutes in the collapse, while the Spurs point to missed free throws, late decision-making and thin bench use as correctable issues.
OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson powered the historic comeback with 30-plus points each, and New York’s challenge now is avoiding an emotional letdown after what may be the franchise’s biggest playoff rally.

Sources

ESPN7h ago

2026 NBA Finals: Knicks-Spurs Game 5 Preview After Historic Comeback, Knicks Lead 3-1

TheLines.com7h ago

Knicks Pull Off Historic Comeback to Take 3-1 Lead Over Spurs

Sports Illustrated7h ago

Knicks vs. Spurs Early Prediction for NBA Finals Game 5 (Can New York Cover on Saturday?)

12 Sources

Is OG Anunoby's consistent heroics enough to secure the Finals MVP and deliver New York its long-awaited championship?

Can the Spurs overcome their historic collapses and mental errors to force a Game 6 against the resilient Knicks?

Will the Knicks defy betting odds as road underdogs to finally end their 53-year championship drought tomorrow?

2026 NBA Finals Game 5: Knicks Aim to End 53-Year Drought Against Spurs After Record Comeback

Overview

Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio is a pivotal moment as the New York Knicks, holding a 3-1 series lead, are just one win away from ending their championship drought since 1973. The atmosphere is electric, with the Spurs fighting to keep their season alive despite daunting historical odds. The Knicks’ dramatic 29-point comeback in Game 4 has energized their fanbase and shifted momentum, while the Spurs rely on young stars like Victor Wembanyama to respond. This game not only decides the championship but also shapes player legacies and the future of both franchises.

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