2026 NBA Finals Update
Game 4 of the NBA Finals sure looked like it was going to be a Spurs blowout win. I tuned into the radio on the way to work and heard that the Knicks were down by well over 20 points. Like most people, I had assumed that San Antonio had found their rhythm and taken control of the series. With two straight road wins following their two home losses, the series would shift back to San Antonio, with the Spurs having solid momentum.
It seemed like they might win the NBA title again, but with an all new cast this time around. Maybe even a new Spurs dynasty.
But then something happened. Little by little, the Knicks chipped away at the big lead. Bit by bit, they got it closer. From 29 points down to about 20. Then 15. Then less than 10 points.
Suddenly, it was a close game late in Game 4.
Just like that, the Knicks held their first lead of the night late in the fourth quarter.
Then it became a close, intense game. The spurs took the lead, and things looked decidedly grim for the Knicks. Just seconds remained in the game, and they trailed by one. Jalen Brunson went for the win from downtown, a three-pointer that missed. I watched and was disappointed by the shot selection, saw it miss, then turned away briefly. Then I heard the announcers yelling that it was good.
As it turns out, OG Anunoby moved in with perfect timing to tip the ball in for what turned out to be the winning shot. Suddenly, the Knicks had the lead with less than two seconds left on the clock.
Their defense held, and New York had completed what turned out to be the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history. Knicks head coach Mike Brown suggested that the tip by OG Anunoby was the greatest shot in franchise history.
And who are we to argue?
Never in my lifetime have the Knicks held a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals. From seemingly seeing the Spurs swing the momentum in their favor to handing those Spurs a stunning loss and taking a decisive 3-1 series lead, it now feels like the New York Knicks are the team of destiny. I felt like that after they took a 2-0 series lead with two consecutive wins on the road in San Antonio, but now I am even more convinced. This kind of a win, and in the position that it puts the Knicks, just feels like it will prove to be too much for the Spurs to come back from. It would take a monumental turnaround that would actually dwarf this comeback win by the Knicks for the Spurs to take the series now. They enter each game the rest of the way facing elimination.
What a game this one was!
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