The New York Knicks Just Made History
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) looks on in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game four of the 2026 NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Finals at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images NBA: Finals-San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks NEW YORK NEW YORK MADISON SQUARE GARDEN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
Written by Nick Ashak & Nathan Jasso
Game 3 of the NBA Finals had us viewers convinced that the Spurs could spark a comeback in the series down 1-2. With the 76-49 Spurs lead at halftime, and the 29-point lead in the middle of the 3rd quarter, this series was destined to be tied heading back to San Antonio for Game 5. Fortunately for New York, the Knicks did not hear a bell yet.
Madness at Madison
No team has ever come back down more than 24 points in a finals game, let alone 29 points with less than half the game to go. The odds of this comeback seemed impossible, and the MSG crowd looked stunned. We’d be too if we were spending what could be tuition/rent money for a seat at the game; they’re a little too expensive.
A quick run in the 3rd quarter, due to the Spurs going cold, sparked the Knicks to do what they do best: take advantage of opportunities. Holding the Spurs to an awful 4-20 shooting in the 3rd allowed the Knicks to cut the score to a 15-point lead, 90-75, by the end of the 3rd. Not the biggest lead in the world, but still convincing enough that the Spurs could just close the game.
The Knicks outscored the Spurs 32-16 in the 4th, and in New York fashion, the dramatic ending was something straight off of Broadway. Down 1 with 30 seconds left in regulation, a missed Jalen Brunson layup leads to a scramble all the way to the opposite side of the court for the rebound. With all momentum and what seems like a clear path, Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox secures the board and drives to the basket. What seems like a potential dagger is blocked from behind by Knicks forward OG Anunoby, leaving New York with 11 seconds left to complete the comeback down one singular point. In this scenario, everybody knows the ball will and has to be in Brunson’s hands. Surely enough, he receives the ball and pulls up for a deep contested 3-pointer that ricochets off the rim right into the hands of Anunoby, who tips it back in to take a 1-point lead with 2 seconds remaining. The stadium erupted and the roof was blown off Madison Square Garden, as Knicks fans went crazy in and out of the stadium.
Winning Game 4 was going to be a turning point in the series, regardless of who won. With New York winning, going up 3-1 in the Finals has its fair share of history. When facing a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, teams have a series record of 1-37. Only one team has ever come back from this. The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers.
Rookie Mistakes
Now it’s safe to say that this Spurs team is a little too young when it comes to playoff experience. The only starter with playoff experience would be De’Aaron Fox. Due to their inexperience, it makes sense that such a youthful team would make rookie mistakes on the big stage. As stated before, the Knicks take advantage of opposing mistakes, which has ultimately dug them out of Game 4 to take the 3-1 series lead.
The issue with the Spurs is that they simply cannot close these games. They’ve had a chance to win every game in this series, with 2nd half leads being blown or really bad turnovers/decision making being the reason why they haven’t. What is viewed as a hyperefficient offense for the first 2.5 quarters of games turns into a fiasco of misses and mishaps throughout the remainder of the game. It’s like when you’re playing NBA 2K as a kid on Rookie mode and then switching to Hall of Fame in the 3rd quarter; things just feel different.
Final Remark
There was absolutely no way the Knicks would win this game down nearly 30 points. Losing would make for a 2-2 series, and back-to-back losses heading back to San Antonio for Game 5. But stranger things have happened, and luckily, that’s a reality Knick fans don’t have to live in. This single game will be remembered for the end of time, and will most likely be the defining game in this year’s NBA Finals.