Knicks seize historic 3-1 NBA Finals lead with record-breaking comeback
New York overcomes a 29-point deficit to take control of the series, moving within one victory of its first championship since 1973.
The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, securing their position on the brink of a historic championship. The victory in Game 4 was defined by the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, with New York overcoming a 29-point deficit to defeat the Spurs. The win moves the franchise within one victory of its first NBA title in 53 years, ending a drought that dates back to 1973.
The decisive moment arrived with 1.2 seconds remaining on the clock. Following a crucial chase-down block on De'Aaron Fox that thwarted a potential Spurs layup, OG Anunoby ran 35 feet to tap in a missed three-point attempt by Jalen Brunson. The play, described by teammate Karl-Anthony Towns as the "Right Hand From God," stands as the third-latest game-winning basket in NBA Finals history. Anunoby became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1998 to record a block or steal and a game-winning shot in the final 24 seconds of an NBA Finals game.
Anunoby’s performance was statistically flawless in the closing stages of the contest. Over the final 23 minutes and 4 seconds, he went 8 of 8 from the field and 5 of 5 from three-point range, finishing with a playoff career-high 33 points. His efficiency extended through the entire postseason, where he has shot 50.6 per cent from beyond the arc, making 43 of 85 attempts. This marks the fifth time in history a player has recorded 25 or more points on 65 per cent shooting in consecutive NBA Finals games.
Head coach Mike Brown credited the victory to specific tactical challenges issued during the day’s shootaround. Brown stated he instructed Anunoby to be a "monster on the offensive glass," a directive the forward fulfilled by securing the critical rebound for the game-winning tip-in. Jalen Brunson contributed 36 points to the comeback effort, while the team’s physicality and versatility overwhelmed a Spurs side that struggled to maintain structural discipline in the final minutes.
The series shifts to San Antonio for Game 5, where the Spurs will look to avoid elimination. The Knicks’ victory follows a contentious Game 1 at the Frost Bank Center, where a fan storming the court to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama resulted in lifetime bans for two individuals. Despite early controversies and foul trouble for centre Mitchell Robinson and Karl-Anthony Towns in Game 4, New York’s leadership trio of Brunson, Towns, and Anunoby proved decisive in securing the series advantage.
