Knicks take 3-1 series lead over Spurs after historic 29-point comeback
Owner cancels public watch party amid security dispute with city administration
The New York Knicks have taken a commanding 3-1 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals, overcoming a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 at Madison Square Garden. The victory places the franchise one win away from securing their first championship in 53 years, ending a drought that dates back to 1973.
The game’s pivotal moment arrived with 1.2 seconds remaining on the clock. After Jalen Brunson missed a long three-point attempt, OG Anunoby crashed the glass to secure the offensive rebound and record the game-winning tip-in. Anunoby finished with 33 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 7-of-9 from three-point range, while Brunson contributed 36 points. The Knicks outscored the Spurs 58-30 in the second half to reverse the early deficit.
Following the match, Anunoby attributed the turnaround to the team’s resilience rather than individual heroics. He stated that the squad refused to give up despite the Spurs’ early run, emphasising the importance of crashing the glass and creating second-chance opportunities. Anunoby also highlighted his defensive contribution, specifically noting a key block on Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox during the decisive sequence.
The on-court triumph was contrasted by off-court tensions involving the franchise’s ownership. Knicks owner James Dolan cancelled a permitted watch party for up to 999 attendees at the arena, citing excessive security measures imposed by the New York city administration. Dolan accused Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch of stifling fan enthusiasm and lacking faith in the police force, describing the restrictions as an attempt to control how supporters celebrated.
The series has faced scrutiny since Game 1 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, where a fan storming the court to take a selfie with Victor Wembanyama resulted in lifetime bans for two individuals. The Spurs’ first-half three-point explosion in Game 4 had previously been noted as one of the most significant postseason leads held against New York, making the second-half collapse a stark statistical anomaly in the finals.
