NEW YORK Knicks produced the largest comeback ever recorded in an NBA Finals game to defeat San Antonio Spurs, 107-106, in Game 4 on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) in New York.
OG Anunoby delivered the decisive basket, converting a tip-in off Jalen Brunson’s missed three-pointer with just 1.2 seconds left on the clock to complete their fightback from 29 points down.
Brunson spearheaded the Knicks’ comeback effort with 36 points, while Anunoby added 33, and Karl-Anthony Towns ended with 13 points, helping erase what appeared to be an insurmountable deficit.
The victory put the Knicks on the verge of capturing their first NBA championship since 1973. They will have three opportunities to secure the title, beginning with Game 5 on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) in San Antonio.
According to league records, no team had previously rallied from more than a 24-point deficit in an NBA Finals game since detailed play-by-play tracking for all four quarters began in 1997.
The previous mark was set by Boston Celtics when they came back from 24 points down to defeat Los Angeles Lakers, 97-91, in Game 4 of 2008 NBA Finals for a 3-1 series lead.
San Antonio dominated much of the first half and entered the break ahead by 27 points. The Spurs later stretched the margin to 81-52 during the third quarter before New York mounted its charge.
The Knicks finally surged ahead at 105-104 with 1:22 left following a jump shot by Brunson, but the Spurs snatched the lead for the last time at 106-105 on two free throws by Stephon Castle.
The Spurs had a chance to widen the lead but DeAarox Fox’s layup off a steal was blocked by Anunoby. After Anunoby’s tip-in, San Antonio failed to execute on a final play en route to a crushing defeat.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 24 points, Dylan Harper added 21 markers, Fox and Devin Vassell ended with 18 points apiece, and Castle contributed 13 markers./PN
