Madison Square Garden transformed from a chamber of stunned silence into a chaotic celebration on Wednesday night. In an unforgettable display of resilience, the New York Knicks engineered the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, erasing a seemingly insurmountable 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. This jaw-dropping Game 4 victory gives New York a commanding 3-1 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals, placing them just one win away from ending a brutal 53-year championship drought.
The Anatomy of the New York Knicks 29 Point Comeback
For the first 24 minutes of Game 4, the Knicks looked entirely outclassed on their home floor. Early foul trouble for starting center Karl-Anthony Towns forced him to the bench before the game was three minutes old, and San Antonio capitalized immediately. Powered by Victor Wembanyama's dominance in the paint and pinpoint perimeter shooting from De'Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell, the Spurs built a massive 76-49 halftime advantage.
When the third quarter opened, the situation grew even bleaker for the home crowd. San Antonio extended their lead to 81-52. Prior to Wednesday night, no team in the history of the league had ever successfully rallied from more than 24 points down in a Finals matchup. Yet, rather than folding, the Knicks ramped up their defensive pressure and fundamentally shifted the momentum of the Spurs vs Knicks 2026 series.
Flipping the Script in the Second Half
New York outscored San Antonio 58-30 across the final two quarters. The Spurs, who hit 11 of their first 16 three-point attempts, suddenly went ice cold, converting just 3 of 17 from beyond the arc in the second half. Meanwhile, the home crowd played its part. As the deficit shrank to single digits, the energy inside the 58-year-old arena swelled. During timeouts, delirious fans sang along to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", creating an increasingly hostile environment that rattled the young Spurs roster.
Jalen Brunson Game 4 Masterclass Keeps Hope Alive
You cannot discuss this historic night without marveling at the sheer willpower of Jalen Brunson. The star point guard refused to let his team's championship aspirations slip away, finishing the contest with a game-high 36 points. Brunson became the relentless engine behind the comeback, attacking the rim and hitting timely mid-range jumpers to consistently chip away at the Spurs' armor.
San Antonio's defense, anchored by Wembanyama—who finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds—simply had no answer for Brunson's aggressive downhill attacks late in the game. In the first half, the Spurs looked unstoppable thanks to the sharp perimeter shooting of Vassell and the playmaking of Fox, who both finished with 18 points on the night. However, as the Spurs' offense stalled in the fourth quarter, Brunson's ability to navigate through the towering frontline opened up crucial scoring opportunities and ignited the run that redefined this series.
The "Right Hand from God": OG Anunoby Game Winner
Even after fighting back from down 29, the Knicks still found themselves trailing 106-105 in the frantic closing seconds. San Antonio had a chance to give their team some breathing room, but Wembanyama uncharacteristically missed two crucial free throws with 1:47 remaining. With the game on the line, Brunson launched a heavily contested three-pointer that bounced off the rim. What happened next will be etched into basketball lore forever.
OG Anunoby, who had already poured in a spectacular 33 points, crashed the glass with perfect timing. Soaring over the defense, he tipped the ball in with his right hand with a mere 1.2 seconds remaining on the clock. The Spurs failed to answer on the ensuing possession, sealing the legendary 107-106 victory.
Speaking to reporters after the chaos subsided, a visibly emotional Towns perfectly summarized the miraculous OG Anunoby game winner. He simply called it the "right hand from God".
All Eyes on Knicks vs Spurs Game 5
The basketball world is now bracing for a monumental clash this weekend. With the series shifting back to Texas for Knicks vs Spurs Game 5 on Saturday, June 13, the stakes have never been higher. New York requires just 48 minutes of solid basketball to hoist their first Larry O'Brien trophy since 1973.
For San Antonio, the psychological toll of surrendering the largest comeback in NBA Finals history will be a massive hurdle. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson called the second-half collapse "disappointing, to say the least," and his staff will need to quickly refocus a young locker room. Will Wembanyama and Fox find a way to protect their home court and force a Game 6, or will the Knicks complete their fairy-tale season on the road?
One thing is absolutely certain: Game 4 proved that no lead is safe in the 2026 NBA Finals, and the Knicks are playing like a team of absolute destiny.
