They were down 29. The Spurs had just set an all-time Finals record for three-pointers in a half. Madison Square Garden was silent. Then OG Anunoby started shooting, Jalen Brunson refused to quit, and with 1.2 seconds left, Anunoby's putback tip-in made the scoreboard read 107–106 Knicks — the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. New York leads the series 3–1.
The Spurs' historic first half
For the first 24 minutes, this looked like a mismatch. San Antonio came out with something to prove after dropping Games 2 and 3, and the Spurs delivered one of the most dominant first halves in Finals history. They shot 59.6 percent from the floor and knocked down 14 three-pointers — a new NBA Finals record for a single half — racing out to a 76–49 lead at the break. That 27-point advantage was the largest halftime lead by a road team in Finals history, excluding the 2020 bubble.
Victor Wembanyama was everywhere, De'Aaron Fox was in a rhythm, and the Knicks defence could not locate the ball. Brunson had just 8 points at halftime. Anunoby had 6. The series looked like it might be heading back to New York for a Game 5 decider.
Brunson and Anunoby refuse to fold
Whatever was said in the Knicks locker room at halftime worked. New York came out in the third quarter with an edge they'd lacked all night, and the Spurs — perhaps resting on a cushion too large to squander — cooled dramatically. San Antonio shot 20.5 percent in the second half. Twenty. Point. Five.
Brunson ended the night with 36 points, matching his Game 3 output and carrying the Knicks' offence through the third quarter. But the real story was Anunoby. OG caught fire in the fourth, hitting two massive three-pointers in clutch possessions and finishing with 33 points — a playoff career high — on 10-of-15 shooting and 7-of-9 from deep, also a career best. His seven threes in a Finals game is a record for him in the playoffs.
The final 11 seconds
The Knicks pulled within one with under a minute to play. Fox had a chance to ice it with a layup attempt at the 11-second mark, but Anunoby got a critical piece of the ball, forcing a turnover and keeping New York alive. Brunson pushed the pace, drew contact, and missed — but Anunoby was there on the left baseline, tipping the ball in off the backboard with 1.2 seconds left. Spurs got the ball at half-court, heaved it hopelessly, and that was it: 107–106, Knicks.
It completed a 29-point comeback — the largest deficit erased in NBA Finals history. The previous record of 25 points had stood since 2016.
Key numbers
- Jalen Brunson: 36 points, 7 assists — steady all night, ignited in Q3
- OG Anunoby: 33 points, 7-of-9 from three — both playoff career highs
- Spurs first half: 76 points on 59.6% shooting, 14 threes (Finals record)
- Spurs second half: 30 points on 20.5% shooting — one of the worst halves in Finals history
- Comeback margin: 29 points — largest in NBA Finals history
What comes next: Game 5 in San Antonio
The Knicks travel to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday with a chance to end it. No team has ever come back from 3–1 down in the NBA Finals — a stat that now weighs entirely on the Spurs. Wembanyama will need to be the force he was in Game 3 (32 points) just to give San Antonio a puncher's chance. The Knicks, meanwhile, now have OG Anunoby trending toward the most unexpected Finals MVP campaign in recent memory.
A New York championship would end a 54-year drought since their last title in 1973. Brunson is averaging 33 points in the series. The Knicks have won on the road. They came back from 29 down. At this point, you pick them at your peril.
FAQ
What was the final score of Game 4? New York Knicks 107, San Antonio Spurs 106. OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds left was the winning basket.
How big was the Knicks' comeback? They trailed by 29 points, making it the largest deficit overcome in NBA Finals history. The previous record was 25 points.
Who leads the series? The Knicks lead 3–1. Game 5 is Saturday in San Antonio. A Knicks win would clinch the championship.
Who won Finals MVP? The series is not over, but OG Anunoby is the current frontrunner after his 33-point, 7-three performance. Brunson (averaging 33 points in the series) is the other leading candidate.
Follow the NBA Finals live scores on Scorelisto as Game 5 tips off Saturday night.