What caused the Knicks’ 29-point comeback?
Knicks erase 29-point deficit, take 3-1 Finals lead
The New York Knicks produced the largest comeback in NBA Finals history in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, turning a 29-point deficit into a 107–106 win and moving to a 3–1 series lead. The swing mattered most in the second half, when New York chipped away, maintained momentum as the Spurs’ lead shrank, and ultimately finished the job on OG Anunoby’s late tip-in.
Key turning points from the game narrative
- Second-half rally: The Knicks’ offense and defensive stops tightened the game enough that the Spurs’ advantage became increasingly fragile.
- OG Anunoby’s decisive play: With the comeback complete, Anunoby’s putback/tip-in gave New York the go-ahead in the closing sequence.
- Spurs’ collapse after control: San Antonio had built an enormous halftime lead, but couldn’t sustain it—turning what looked like a routine win into an improbable loss.
Why it matters
- Franchise stakes: The Knicks moved within one win of their first NBA championship in decades, dramatically raising the stakes for the remainder of the Finals.
- Psychological momentum: A record-setting reversal at Madison Square Garden changes how both teams approach Game 5—particularly for a Spurs team that must respond to a collapse of this magnitude.
- Defining individual moment: Multiple recaps and reaction pieces center Anunoby and the team’s resilience as the defining theme of the night.
With the series now leaning heavily toward New York, attention shifts immediately to whether the Knicks can keep their late-game execution—and whether the Spurs can regroup after squandering a lead this large.