NBA FinalsHistoric ComebackJun 12, 2026, 2:48 AM· 2 min read· #3 of 315 in sports

Knicks Complete Largest Comeback in NBA Finals History to Take 3-1 Lead Over Spurs

The New York Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4, moving one win away from their first championship since 1973.

By Factlen Editorial Team

Knicks Faithful 35%Spurs Camp 35%Neutral Analysts 30%
Knicks Faithful
Celebrating the team's historic resilience and anticipating the end of a 53-year championship drought.
Spurs Camp
Reeling from the unprecedented collapse but emphasizing that the series is still mathematically alive and statistically close.
Neutral Analysts
Focused on the historic nature of the 29-point comeback and the tactical shifts that caused San Antonio's second-half scoring drought.

What's not represented

  • · San Antonio local fan reactions to the collapse
  • · Perspectives from former players involved in the 2008 Celtics-Lakers comeback

Why this matters

The 29-point rally shatters the previous NBA Finals comeback record of 24 points set in 2008, cementing Game 4 as an instant classic and putting one of the league's most storied franchises on the brink of ending a 53-year title drought.

Key points

  • The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals.
  • New York overcame a 29-point deficit, marking the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
  • OG Anunoby secured the victory with a tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining in regulation.
  • The Knicks now hold a 3-1 series lead and are one win away from their first title since 1973.
  • San Antonio was held to just 30 points in the second half after scoring 76 in the first.
29 pts
Largest deficit overcome in Finals history
1.2 sec
Time remaining on game-winning tip-in
53 years
Knicks' championship drought
30 pts
Spurs' total second-half scoring

The New York Knicks pulled off the seemingly impossible at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night, erasing a 29-point deficit to stun the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.[1][2]

The dramatic victory gives New York a commanding 3-1 series lead and places the franchise just one win away from securing its first NBA championship since 1973.[1][5]

The comeback shattered the previous NBA Finals record for the largest deficit overcome, surpassing the 24-point rally orchestrated by the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.[4]

New York's 29-point rally shattered the previous Finals comeback record set in 2008.
New York's 29-point rally shattered the previous Finals comeback record set in 2008.

For the first 24 minutes, the Spurs looked entirely dominant, building a staggering 76-49 halftime lead behind the towering presence of Victor Wembanyama and the speed of De'Aaron Fox.[2][3]

However, the Knicks methodically chipped away at the lead throughout the third and fourth quarters, fueled by a raucous home crowd and a relentless defensive adjustment that limited San Antonio to just 30 second-half points.[3][6]

Jalen Brunson spearheaded the offensive resurgence, finishing with a game-high 36 points despite struggling with his shooting efficiency early in the series.[1][3]

Jalen Brunson spearheaded the offensive resurgence, finishing with a game-high 36 points despite struggling with his shooting efficiency early in the series.

The climax arrived in the final seconds of regulation. Clinging to a one-point lead, the Spurs had a chance to run out the clock, but Fox opted for a quick contested layup that was blocked, giving New York one final possession.[2][4]

OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining sealed the victory for New York.
OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining sealed the victory for New York.

On the ensuing play, Brunson launched a contested three-pointer that bounced off the front of the rim. OG Anunoby, who finished with 33 points, soared through the paint to tip the ball in with just 1.2 seconds remaining.[1][2]

The Spurs were left stunned by the collapse. Wembanyama, who tallied 24 points and 13 rebounds, admitted the team lost its hunger in the second half, calling the historic meltdown "painful."[3][4]

The Spurs built a 29-point lead before being outscored 58-30 in the second half.
The Spurs built a 29-point lead before being outscored 58-30 in the second half.

Despite the dramatic finish, the series as a whole has been remarkably even; through four games, the Knicks have outscored the Spurs by a total of just eight points.[4]

The series now shifts back to Texas for Game 5 on Saturday night, where the Spurs will attempt to keep their season alive in front of their home fans.[1][4]

For the Knicks, the mission is clear: capture one more victory on the road to complete a historic playoff run and finally bring the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to Manhattan.[1][5]

How we got here

  1. 1973

    The New York Knicks win their last NBA Championship.

  2. June 3, 2026

    The Knicks win Game 1 of the NBA Finals 105-95 in San Antonio.

  3. June 5, 2026

    New York takes Game 2 with a narrow 105-104 victory.

  4. June 8, 2026

    The Spurs bounce back to win Game 3, handing the Knicks their first loss in 14 games.

  5. June 10, 2026

    The Knicks erase a 29-point deficit to win Game 4 at Madison Square Garden, 107-106.

Viewpoints in depth

New York's Momentum

The Knicks are riding a wave of historic resilience and home-court energy.

For the Knicks, Game 4 was a microcosm of their entire postseason run: gritty, defensively tenacious, and never out of the fight. Head coach Mike Brown's halftime adjustments completely neutralized San Antonio's transition offense, allowing New York to dictate the pace. The team is now heavily favored to end their 53-year championship drought, carrying immense psychological momentum into Game 5.

San Antonio's Shock

The Spurs must quickly recover from an unprecedented collapse to save their season.

The Spurs locker room was left searching for answers after squandering a 29-point lead. Victor Wembanyama openly questioned the team's 'hunger' in the second half, while veterans lamented critical late-game execution errors, such as De'Aaron Fox's blocked layup attempt. However, the Spurs camp remains focused on the fact that the series has been statistically dead-even, with the Knicks holding only an eight-point cumulative advantage across four games.

What we don't know

  • Whether the Spurs can mentally recover from the historic collapse to force a Game 6.
  • How the Knicks will handle the pressure of a closeout game on the road in San Antonio.

Key terms

Tip-in
A shot attempt where a player taps a missed shot back into the basket while the ball is still in the air.
Larry O'Brien Trophy
The championship trophy awarded annually by the National Basketball Association to the winner of the NBA Finals.
Putback
An offensive rebound that is immediately scored by the player who caught it.

Frequently asked

What was the previous record for the largest NBA Finals comeback?

The Boston Celtics held the previous record, overcoming a 24-point deficit against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals.

When is Game 5 of the series?

Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2026, in San Antonio.

How many points did Jalen Brunson score in Game 4?

Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 36 points, playing a crucial role in the Knicks' second-half rally.

Sources

Source coverage

6 outlets

3 viewpoints surfaced

Knicks Faithful 35%Spurs Camp 35%Neutral Analysts 30%
  1. [1]CBS SportsKnicks Faithful

    Knicks pull off all-time comeback in Game 4 against Spurs

    Read on CBS Sports
  2. [2]The GuardianNeutral Analysts

    NBA finals 2026 Game 4: San Antonio Spurs 106-107 New York Knicks – as it happened

    Read on The Guardian
  3. [3]Olympics.comSpurs Camp

    NBA Finals 2026: Victor Wembanyama on San Antonio Spurs's historic Game 4 collapse

    Read on Olympics.com
  4. [4]AP NewsSpurs Camp

    Spurs face elimination after historic collapse in Game 4

    Read on AP News
  5. [5]WikipediaNeutral Analysts

    2026 NBA Finals

    Read on Wikipedia
  6. [6]Basketball-ReferenceNeutral Analysts

    2026 NBA Finals Game 4: San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks Box Score

    Read on Basketball-Reference
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