Knicks pull off largest rally in NBA Finals history during Game Four

The Knicks, who trailed by 29 points in the third quarter, lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. They can clinch their first title since 1973 on Saturday night, when Game 5 will be played in San Antonio.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the fourth quarter during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

(photo credit: Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

ByFIELD LEVEL MEDIA, REUTERS

JUNE 11, 2026 07:34

Updated: JUNE 11, 2026 08:29

OG Anunoby tipped in the winning basket with 1.2 seconds remaining on Wednesday night to complete the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, lifting the New York Knicks past the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 and within one victory of the title.

The Knicks, who trailed by 29 points in the third quarter, lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. They can clinch their first title since 1973 on Saturday night, when Game 5 will be played in San Antonio.

Victor Wembanyama posted 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, yet he also triggered the Knicks rally by drawing a flagrant foul call on Karl-Anthony Towns with 9:27 left in the third quarter while San Antonio led 81-52.

New York responded with the next 13 points to ignite its surge.

The Knicks trailed 90-75 after three quarters and failed to score on their opening four possessions of the fourth, allowing the Spurs to push the margin to 95-75. A three-pointer by Jose Alvarado that spun around the rim ignited the dramatic final push for New York.

Knicks trail at end of third quarter, make historic comeback

Back-to-back three-pointers by Alvarado and Jalen Brunson brought the Knicks within 105-104 with 2:21 remaining. The Spurs committed a turnover, but Josh Hart missed a layup and Wembanyama then missed two free throws.

Brunson followed with a floater that gave the Knicks their first lead. The teams exchanged missed opportunities before Stephon Castle sank two free throws to put the Spurs ahead 106-105 with 30.3 seconds left.

Anunoby rejected a shot by De'Aaron Fox after a Knicks turnover, setting up an inbounds play with 5.7 seconds remaining. Brunson missed a long three-point try, yet Anunoby darted in to tap the ball into the basket as the sellout crowd erupted.

The Spurs could not release a shot after calling timeout.

Brunson finished with 36 points and seven assists, while Anunoby scored 33 points. Towns added 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Dylan Harper scored 21 points off the bench for the Spurs, while Devin Vassell and Fox each had 18 points. Castle finished with 13 points.

Wembanyama (13 points) and Vassell (12) combined for 25 points in the first quarter, when the Spurs shot 65.2 percent from the field and limited the Knicks to 29.4 percent shooting to build a 41-22 lead.

The Spurs maintained control in the second quarter and led by as many as 29 points before taking a 76-49 advantage into halftime.

'Party pooper' Mamdani: Knicks owner slams mayor, NYPD over restrictions

Before Wednesday's contest, New York Knicks owner James Dolan criticized New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for security steps that limited access around Madison Square Garden and forced cancellation of a fan gathering outside the arena for Game Four of the NBA Finals, claiming too few supporters would pass the checkpoints.

They are New York's biggest party poopers, he said, accusing Mamdani of turning the streets around MSG into a police state.

The mayor and the city stated they approved Madison Square Garden's request for a permit to stage a 500-to-999-person watch party on Wednesday. The NYPD arranged for attendees to enter through a security zone that featured street closures for the ticketed event.

Yet Dolan called the city's approval disingenuous at best and suddenly canceled Wednesday's watch party, a longstanding tradition at Madison Square Garden during playoff games.

The 1,000-person attendance limit left tens of thousands of people who want to come to The Garden to celebrate the Knicks out in the cold, Dolan said. He said he canceled the event because it would have been unfair to those who could not attend.