The New York Knicks pulled off the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, erasing a 29-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 and seize a commanding 3-1 series lead. According to the NBA Finals game report, the Knicks outscored the Spurs 55-25 over the final 21.5 minutes of the contest, never leading by more than a point but securing the win on a tip-in by OG Anunoby.

The 55-25 Closer:How the Knicks Outscored the Spurs in the Final Stretch

Trailing 81-52 with 9:40 left in the third quarter, the Knicks faced a deficit no Finals team had overcome—the previous record was 24 points.. But New York ignited a furious rally, holding San Antonio to just 25 points the rest of the way while scoring 55 themselves. The source notes that the 30-point swing surpassed Boston’s legendary 2008 comeback against the Los Angeles Lakers, which erased a 24-point deficit. This time, the Knicks did it against a Spurs team that had earlier set a Finals record with 14 three-pointers in the first half alone.

Brunson and Anunoby Join Legendary Company with 30-Point Games

Jalen Brunson poured in 36 points and OG Anunoby added 33, including the game-winning tip-in. According to the game report, their 30-point duet puts them in elite Finals company alongside pairs like Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, and Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. The two carried the Knicks offense especially after halftime, dismantling a Spurs defense that had looked impenetrable early on.

Spurs' Record First-Half Shooting: 14 Threes and a 27-Point Halftime Lead

San Antonio led 76-49 at halftime, tied for the third-largest halftime lead in Finals history , and their 76 points were the most by a road team in a Finals first half. The source details that the Spurs sank 14 three-pointers in the first two quarters—a Finals record for any half—and seemed poised to tie the series at 2-2. Their offensive precision in the first 24 minutes was a masterclass, but their inability to sustain it over the full 48 minutes proved costly.

What Went Wrong for San Antonio After the 81-52 Peak?

The Spurs’ collapse raises unanswered questions about execution and adjustments. After reaching their largest lead at the 9:40 mark of the third quarter, San Antonio’s offense stalled: the source reports they scored only 25 points in the final 21.5 minutes. The report does not explain whether fatigue, New York’s defensive switches, or a failed offensive game plan caused the drop-off. Also unclear is how the Spurs will respond mentally to holding a 29-point lead and losing—a psychological blow rarely seen at this level .

An Echo of Boston's 2008 Comeback—But Bigger

The Knicks’ comeback echoes the Celtics’ 24-point rally in Game 4 of the 2008 Finals, but surpasses it in margin. That series saw Boston eventually win the title, but the Knicks’ situation differs: they already held a 2-1 lead before this game. The source notes that New York also staged a 22-point fourth-quarter commeback against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals, suggesting a pattern of resilience. Yet no team has ever come back from 3-1 in the NBA Finals, so the Spurs face a steep uphill battle.