The New York Knicks produced one of the most dramatic nights in their playoff run, pulling off what is being described as the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. In Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks erased a huge deficit to win 107-106 and move within one victory of the championship. The result pushed New York to a 3 games to 1 lead in the series.
For most of the night, the game looked lost. The Knicks trailed by as many as 29 points, were down 27 at halftime, and were behind for the better part of 47 of the 48 minutes. It was the kind of hole that almost always ends a game, which made what followed all the more striking for the fans watching at Madison Square Garden.
Part of the turnaround came from a sharp collapse on the other side. San Antonio piled up 76 points in the first half, building the lead that seemed to put the game out of reach. But the Spurs managed just 30 points in the second half, allowing the Knicks to slowly claw their way back into the contest as the minutes ticked away.
The comeback gathered real momentum in the final stretch. With about four and a half minutes to play and the Knicks down by seven, OG Anunoby caught the ball in the corner and hit a three, cutting the Spurs lead to four. The shot gave New York belief and brought the crowd back into the game.
Moments later, the Knicks pulled even closer. With around two and a half minutes left and still trailing by four, Jalen Brunson knocked down a three of his own, turning the deficit into a one point game. The building was shaking as the Knicks, who had trailed all night, suddenly looked capable of completing the rally.
The decisive play came in the closing seconds. With less than 90 seconds left, Brunson drove the lane and put up a three that missed, but Anunoby was there to get the tip-in to fall. That basket gave the Knicks the lead they would not give back, and they held on to win 107-106 in a finish that will be replayed for a long time.
The win carries major weight for the rest of the series. The Knicks now take a 3-1 lead to San Antonio for the next game, with history on their side, since teams that go up 3-1 in the Finals are 37-1. The players spoke of the grit and resilience behind the comeback, but were quick to stress that nothing has been won yet and that the job is not finished.