Barkley brands Spurs 'dumbest' after historic Knicks comeback

NBA legend Charles Barkley has described the San Antonio Spurs as "the dumbest basketball team in the history of civilisation" following their collapse against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals. The Spurs surrendered a 29-point deficit to lose 107-106 at Madison Square Garden, handing New York a commanding 3-1 series lead and placing them on the brink of their first championship since 1973.

The Spurs entered the second half with a 27-point advantage, a margin that stood as the largest for a road team in Finals history. However, their offence stalled significantly, managing only 30 points in the second half. The previous record for the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history was 24 points, set by the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.

New York’s resurgence was driven by Jalen Brunson, who scored 36 points for the Knicks. Brunson put New York ahead for the first time at 105-104 with 82 seconds remaining. The game’s decisive moment arrived with 1.2 seconds left when OG Anunoby tipped in a shot after Brunson’s three-point attempt struck the rim, securing the victory in front of a star-studded crowd that included Taylor Swift and Timothee Chalamet.

Barkley, an ESPN analyst and former NBA most valuable player, did not mince words regarding the Spurs' performance. "That was some of the most mismanaged, stupid basketball," Barkley said. "When you blow a 29-point lead, the other team has to help, and the San Antonio Spurs helped the New York Knicks win this game."

Victor Wembanyama, who recorded a team-high 24 points and 13 rebounds for San Antonio, acknowledged the team's shortcomings. The NBA's defensive player of the year attributed the loss to a lack of execution and "greediness," stating the squad "weren't the most hungry in the second half."

Brunson emphasised the psychological aspect of the turnaround, telling ESPN that "belief" was the defining factor. "It was chipping away, one possession at the time. It wasn't going to be one play to get us back," he said. The series now shifts to San Antonio for Game 5, scheduled for Saturday at 01:30 BST.