The Knicks Pulled Off the Greatest Comeback in NBA Finals History | HOOPS, 6/11/26
New York’s 29-point comeback vs the Spurs has them one win away from the NBA title.
The Knicks Are One Win Away From an NBA Title
Hours later and I still haven’t fully recovered from what I saw, I still can’t believe that it actually, really happened the way it all unfolded.
The Spurs, up by as many as 29pts, had taken the spirit out of Madison Square Garden, they were rolling up and down the court and looking to head back to San Antonio with all the momentum in the world and a complete shift of the vibes.
Then, the Knicks did what they’ve done so often this post-season: they made a run that the Spurs simply couldn’t withstand.
I hate being hyperbolic and speaking in hot take lingo but I don’t know how else to say this: this was the kind of loss that is going to haunt the Spurs players for the rest of their careers. Nothing Victor Wembanyama (24pts/13r, 9-25 FG) does in the regular season will matter until he can exorcise the demons of a 29-point collapse and two huge missed free throws at what is the most important moment of his young career.
I genuinely have no idea how this Spurs team can go home and get back up to try and do this all again in Game 5 after now blowing at least two games in this series.
And worst of all? Everything was rolling for them for so long. They hit 14 first-half three pointers, scored a franchise-high 76 first-half points, and then put the game on cruise control, scoring just 30 points total in the second half and hitting just three threes. To sum it all up: they looked like a young team that didn’t know how to close out a game, something that hasn’t been a problem for most of this postseason.
For the Knicks, it was incredible to witness the highs and lows of this game. From feeling the oxygen sucked out of the building as the Spurs’ built their lead to the unbridled joy that filled the atmosphere as Jalen Brunson (36pts/7a/5r) and OG Anunoby (33pts/4r, 7-9 3PT) dragged the team over the finish line and to a 3-1 series lead.
Game 5 is this Saturday and at this point, I’d believe just about anything can happen.
Film Breakdown
Examining Three Spurs’ Miscues in the Last 15 Seconds of Game 4
The Play: De’Aaron Fox Gets Blocked By OG Anunoby
The Setting: 13 seconds left, Spurs - 106, Knicks - 105
It’s been a rough NBA Finals for De’Aaron Fox who is most likely playing hurt but his bad series took an even worse turn as he made one of the worst decisions in recent Finals history. He’s supposed to be one of the team’s veteran leaders so why he didn’t just hold the ball and wait for the foul to come, is something we may never know.
Here’s what he said after the game.
"I just thought I'd be able to outrun [OG Anunoby]." - De’Aaron Fox on layup attempt
That’s totally fine and dandy except this is what Fox saw when he went to go for the layup.
There’s no outrunning anything in that moment, he had OG right in his face and I think he pushed it in the moment, wanting to ice the game and get a signature play.
The Play: OG Anunoby’s Last-Second Putback
The Setting: Five seconds left, Spurs - 106, Knicks - 105
Everyone in the building knows that the ball is going to Jalen Brunson so San Antonio sending Victor Wembanyama to double-team him at the three-point line makes sense but what happens then is it means the Spurs’ 7’5” cheat code is away from the rim and rebounding pressure falls completely on two young guards Stephon Castle (5 in the game) and Dylan Harper (4 in the game). Neither of them are expecting Anunoby to come flying in like that off the miss, a huge testament to his activity levels and his ability to track the ball despite the frantic environment.
I know playing Brunson straight up probably isn’t an option but it feels like Wemby just doesn’t have the time to react from the time the shot goes up to Anunoby getting the putback. Look how far away from the rim Wemby still is as the shot goes in.
The Play: San Antonio’s Final Play
The Setting: 1.2 seconds remain, Spurs - 106, Knicks - 107
This final play from the Spurs is a DISASTER. I don’t understand what they were attempting here because it sure looks like the plan was to have Stephon Castle catch a lob at the rim off the inbounds pass. Something that feels better suited for the 7’5” monster the Spurs have. Seeing Wemby with his back to the basket at the free throw line is maddening to me. The Knicks’ ability to keep him out of the paint has been incredible to watch given his natural size advantage and his advanced skill with the ball. There were 42 total fouls called in this game, you’re telling me this was a better option than lobbing something towards Wemby and seeing if he can draw a foul at the rim?
Even worse? They have rookie Dylan Harper inbounding the pass and he has to throw it over Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson, and to Stephon Castle who has Josh Hart all over him. It’s an insane thing to ask a rookie player to do in the biggest game of his life so far.
At the Buzzer
- Victor Wembanyama picks up a Star Wars card at Fanatics Fest1
- Stephen A Smith says Donald Trump should be worried if he runs for President2
- Kendrick Perkins blames the growth of sports betting on the rise in fan violence3
- AJ Dybantsa was stunned watching the Knicks’ game-winner
- Knicks’ owner James Dolan took ridiculous shots at the Spurs, just couldn’t help but try to ruin the vibes even more
- Mariska Hargitay went viral for celebrating the Knicks’ stunning win with Taylor Swift, OG Anunoby, and Jalen Brunson4
The Knicks Can Close Out the Finals on Saturday
Game 5 - Knicks at Spurs (Knicks lead 3-1, 8:30pm est/5:30pm pst on ABC)
Thank you so much for reading. I hope everyone reading this is doing well and having a good week so far. If the Knicks close out the series this Saturday, I’ll be back Saturday night or Sunday morning to recap it all so make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss anything. More importantly, I just appreciate you taking some time out of your day for these, thank you so much. Take care.
I have so many questions. When was this filmed? Have either Wemby or the seller actually seen Star Wars before? Would Wemby be better as an alien or a Jedi in a movie?
This is real and it’s insane. We are living in the dumbest possible timeline.
With Timothee Chalamet, Ben Stiller, and Spike Lee getting most of the superfan attention, don’t sleep on Mariska’s longtime Knicks fandom.