The New York Knicks moved within one win of their first NBA championship since 1973 after overcoming a 29-point halftime deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. According to the Associated Press, the Knicks’ 58-30 second-half surge marks the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, giving New York a commanding 3-1 series lead.
How did the Knicks execute the largest comeback in Finals history?
The turnaround was anchored by star guard Jalen Brunson, who tallied 36 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. After a stagnant first half where he failed to record a field goal, Brunson spearheaded the offensive recovery. The game-winning play arrived in the closing seconds when defensive specialist OG Anunoby secured an offensive rebound and converted a put-back basket following a missed attempt by Brunson. This victory at Madison Square Garden forces the Spurs to return to San Antonio facing an elimination scenario, as noted by AP reports.
The Knicks’ 29-point comeback is officially the largest deficit overcome in the history of the NBA Finals, eclipsing previous records for second-half rallies in championship series.
Why was the first half so lopsided for the Spurs?
San Antonio dominated the opening two quarters by exploiting early foul trouble for the Knicks. According to AP, Karl-Anthony Towns was restricted to just three minutes of play in the first quarter after officials overturned a foul call on Victor Wembanyama, assigning a second personal foul to Towns instead. This forced Knicks head coach Mike Brown to rely heavily on his bench rotation prematurely. The Spurs capitalized by shooting 15-for-23 from the field and 6-for-10 from beyond the arc in the first quarter alone, with Wembanyama contributing 13 points.
What tensions defined the physical nature of Game 4?
High-stakes physicality led to multiple reviews and crowd outbursts throughout the contest. Mitchell Robinson received a flagrant foul upgrade after a collision with Wembanyama, a moment that drew significant scrutiny from the Madison Square Garden crowd. According to AP, tensions were already heightened following comments from Knicks player Alvarado, who had publicly warned that any further incidents involving Wembanyama would be addressed. Despite the intensity, officials maintained a consistent, albeit controversial, standard, notably declining to upgrade a later hard foul from Alvarado on Wembanyama to a flagrant.
Comparative Performance: First Half vs. Second Half
| Metric | Knicks First Half | Knicks Second Half |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | Low | 58 |
| Defensive Intensity | Foul-prone | High/Clutch |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current series score? The New York Knicks lead the San Antonio Spurs 3-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals.
- How many points did Jalen Brunson score in the comeback? Brunson finished the game with 36 points, the majority of which came during the second-half rally.
- When was the last time the Knicks won an NBA championship? The franchise last secured an NBA title in 1973.
- What happens next in the series? The teams travel to San Antonio for Game 5, where the Knicks have the opportunity to close out the series.
How do you think the Spurs will adjust their rotation to prevent another second-half collapse in Game 5? Share your predictions in the comments below or subscribe to our sports newsletter for exclusive post-game analysis.
