BY: WEI TANG – SOA USA CORRESPONDENT
The New York Knicks are one win away from their first NBA championship in more than five decades after staging the largest comeback in NBA Finals history to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, 107-106, in Game 4 on Wednesday night.
Trailing by as many as 29 points and facing a 27-point halftime deficit, the Knicks mounted a stunning second-half rally capped by OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in with just 1.2 seconds remaining at Madison Square Garden. The dramatic finish gave New York a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals series.
Jalen Brunson spearheaded the comeback with 36 points, while Anunoby added 33, including the decisive basket off Brunson’s missed three-pointer. The Knicks outscored the Spurs 58-30 in the second half after San Antonio appeared firmly in control early behind a barrage of three-pointers.
The comeback surpassed the previous record for the largest rally in an NBA Finals game, which was set when the Boston Celtics erased a 24-point deficit against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008. New York’s 29-point turnaround also ranks among the biggest comebacks in NBA playoff history.
Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 24 points and 13 rebounds but struggled offensively down the stretch, finishing 9-for-25 from the field. Dylan Harper contributed 21 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell scored 18 each.
After having their 13-game winning streak snapped in Game 3, the Knicks responded with one of the most memorable victories in franchise history. New York now has three opportunities to secure its first NBA title since 1973, beginning with Game 5 on Saturday in San Antonio.
