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

The New York Knicks stared into the abyss of a tied series and somehow found a way out, staging the largest comeback in NBA Finals history to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4. Facing a staggering 29-point deficit in front of a shell-shocked Madison Square Garden crowd, New York mounted a furious second-half rally that culminated in a chaotic, game-winning sequence.[1][2]

With the Knicks trailing by one point in the closing seconds, Jalen Brunson launched a long three-pointer that missed the mark. However, forward OG Anunoby crashed the glass, soaring through the paint to tip the ball in with just 1.2 seconds remaining. The improbable putback gave New York its first lead of the entire night and sent the arena into absolute delirium.[1][3]

The dramatic finish capped a night of two wildly different halves. The Spurs appeared completely in control early on, building a massive 76-49 halftime advantage behind blistering perimeter shooting and a dominant performance from 22-year-old phenom Victor Wembanyama. Wembanyama, who has embraced a villain role in New York after a physical Game 3, finished the night with 24 points and 13 rebounds.[2][4]

But San Antonio's offense inexplicably stalled after the intermission. The Spurs managed a mere 30 points in the entire second half as the Knicks tightened their defensive rotation and began chipping away at the lead. New York's relentless pressure forced turnovers and disrupted the Spurs' rhythm, turning a blowout into a possession-by-possession grind.[1][2]

Offensively, the Knicks were anchored by their star duo. Brunson led all scorers with 36 points and seven assists, repeatedly breaking down the San Antonio defense. Anunoby delivered a career-defining playoff performance, adding 33 points while shooting a blistering 7-of-9 from beyond the arc, keeping New York within striking distance before his final heroics.[1][3]

The victory gives the Knicks a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, placing them just one win away from securing their first NBA championship since 1973. The 53-year drought has been a defining narrative of the franchise, and the historic nature of Wednesday's comeback has only amplified the anticipation surrounding the team.[1][4]

The sheer drama of the series has translated into a massive television audience. Game 4 drew an average of 20.9 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched NBA Finals broadcast since Michael Jordan's final championship run with the Chicago Bulls in 1998. The combination of the nation's largest media market and the compelling emergence of Wembanyama has proven to be a ratings goldmine.[5][6]

Industry analysts note that the series is up 116% in viewership compared to the first four games of the 2025 Finals, with massive double-digit growth among younger demographics. Broadcasters have been widely praised for capturing the electric atmosphere at Madison Square Garden, elevating the historic comeback into a transcendent cultural moment.[5][6]

The series now shifts back to Texas for Game 5 on Saturday night. The Spurs face the daunting task of recovering from a psychological gut-punch while trying to stave off elimination on their home floor. For the Knicks, the objective is simple: replicate their second-half intensity for 48 minutes and bring the Larry O'Brien Trophy back to New York.[1][4]