The 2026 NBA Finals have taken a dramatic turn, with the New York Knicks now just one victory away from capturing their first NBA championship in more than five decades.
After splitting the first two games of the series, the Knicks and San Antonio Spurs arrived at Madison Square Garden tied 1-1. San Antonio gained the upper hand in Game 3 with a 115-111 victory, temporarily seizing momentum and putting pressure on New York heading into a pivotal Game 4.
That momentum disappeared in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night.
Facing a 29-point deficit, the Knicks mounted the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, rallying to defeat the Spurs 107-106 and take a commanding 3-1 series lead. OG Anunoby delivered the game-winning tip-in with just over a second remaining, capping a remarkable comeback that instantly entered NBA lore.
Jalen Brunson led New York with 36 points, while Anunoby added 33 in one of the most memorable performances of the postseason.
The collapse was equally stunning for San Antonio. The Spurs dominated the opening half and carried a 76-49 lead into the break but managed just 30 second-half points as the Knicks’ defense intensified and the Madison Square Garden crowd helped fuel the comeback.
Now trailing 3-1 in the best-of-seven series, the Spurs return home needing three consecutive victories to capture the championship. While teams have overcome 3-1 deficits in NBA playoff history, it remains one of the most difficult feats in professional sports.
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday night in San Antonio. A Knicks victory would deliver the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973 and end one of the longest championship droughts in professional sports. A Spurs win would force a Game 6 and keep the series alive.
Photo Caption: New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the fourth quarter of Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026.
Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images