The 2026 NBA Finals have quickly evolved from a competitive championship matchup into one of the most dramatic Finals series in recent memory. After stealing the first two games in San Antonio, the New York Knicks arrived at Madison Square Garden with a chance to put a stranglehold on the series. Instead, the Spurs responded with their best performance of the Finals in Game 3 before the Knicks authored the largest comeback in NBA Finals history in Game 4.
Four games in, New York holds a 3-1 series lead and sits one win away from its first NBA championship since 1973.
Game 3: Spurs Respond on the Road
Spurs 115, Knicks 111
Series: Knicks Lead 2-1
Facing the possibility of falling into a virtually insurmountable 3-0 hole, San Antonio delivered exactly the response expected from a championship-caliber team. The Spurs entered Madison Square Garden and controlled much of Game 3, earning a 115-111 victory and cutting the series deficit to 2-1.
The star of the night was Victor Wembanyama, who produced arguably his best performance of the Finals:
Victor Wembanyama
- 32 points
- 8 rebounds
- 6 assists
- 3 blocks
- 2 steals
Wembanyama became the second-youngest player in NBA Finals history to record a 30-5-5 game, trailing only Magic Johnson.
Stephon Castle provided crucial support with 23 points, while San Antonio’s ball movement and execution proved decisive.
The Spurs finished with:
- 28 assists
- Just 8 turnovers
- A 21-7 advantage in points off turnovers
Meanwhile, New York struggled to generate consistent offense outside of Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby.
Jalen Brunson: 32 points
OG Anunoby: 28 points
Karl-Anthony Towns was limited to just 11 points and 8 rebounds, one of his quietest performances of the postseason.
Key Takeaways
The biggest difference was San Antonio’s offensive organization.
Through the first two games, the Spurs frequently built leads only to lose control of the game. In Game 3, they remained disciplined throughout the fourth quarter.
The Spurs also forced New York into mistakes, generating transition opportunities and preventing the Knicks from establishing their preferred half-court rhythm.
After the game, Wembanyama delivered a message that would become prophetic heading into Game 4:
“The job is absolutely not done. The hardest is yet to come.”
At the time, it felt like the Spurs had regained momentum.
What happened two nights later changed everything.
Game 4: The Largest Comeback in NBA Finals History
Knicks 107, Spurs 106
Series: Knicks Lead 3-1
For nearly three quarters, Game 4 looked like a Spurs victory.
Then it became one of the most unforgettable games in NBA history.
San Antonio raced out to a massive lead, controlling the game from the opening tip. The Spurs led by 19 after the first quarter and eventually built a 29-point advantage, the largest lead of the series. At halftime, San Antonio held a commanding 76-49 lead and appeared poised to even the Finals at two games apiece.
Madison Square Garden was stunned.
Then the Knicks started chipping away.
What followed was the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.
The Numbers Behind the Comeback
New York completely flipped the game in the second half.
Jalen Brunson took over offensively and finished with 36 points.
OG Anunoby added 33 points and delivered the defining play of the series.
The Spurs, meanwhile, completely unraveled offensively.
In the second half, San Antonio scored only 30 points and shot just 20.5% from the field. Their offense stalled, turnovers increased, and the movement that had generated easy looks in the first half disappeared.
The De’Aaron Fox Possession
No moment from Game 4 will be discussed more than the final minute.
With the Spurs protecting a late lead, De’Aaron Fox had an opportunity to drain the clock and force New York to foul.
Instead, he attacked the basket.
OG Anunoby met him at the rim and blocked the attempt, giving New York another possession and opening the door for the comeback to be completed.
Fox later acknowledged the mistake himself.
The play immediately became one of the defining moments of the Finals.
Had San Antonio simply managed the clock, the series likely heads into Game 5 tied 2-2.
Instead, the Knicks seized the opportunity.
OG Anunoby’s Championship Moment
With seconds remaining, New York trailed by one.
Jalen Brunson launched a deep three-pointer that missed.
OG Anunoby never stopped moving.
As the ball came off the rim, Anunoby crashed the glass, tipped it back in with 1.2 seconds remaining, and sent Madison Square Garden into complete chaos.
The basket completed:
- The largest comeback in NBA Finals history
- A 29-point rally
- A 107-106 Knicks victory
- A 3-1 series lead
It instantly became one of the most iconic moments in Knicks history.
Why New York Is Winning the Series
Through four games, several themes have emerged.
Jalen Brunson’s Leadership
Every time the Spurs have threatened to seize control, Brunson has responded.
Whether scoring, creating offense, or controlling pace, he has consistently delivered in winning moments.
OG Anunoby’s Two-Way Impact
Anunoby has been everywhere.
He scored 28 points in Game 3, followed it with 33 in Game 4, blocked Fox’s crucial drive, and hit the game-winning tip-in.
Few players have impacted a Finals series on both ends of the floor the way Anunoby has.
Coaching Adjustments
New York’s second-half adjustments in Game 4 completely changed the series.
The Knicks created significantly better three-point opportunities, improved spacing around Karl-Anthony Towns, and increased defensive pressure on San Antonio’s ball handlers.
Why San Antonio Is Suddenly in Trouble
The Spurs have proven they can compete with New York.
The problem is finishing.
In Games 1, 2, and 4, San Antonio built substantial leads before allowing New York back into the game.
The collapse in Game 4 was particularly damaging.
The Spurs shot the ball brilliantly in the first half before going cold after halftime, struggling to generate quality offense and failing to adjust as the Knicks gained momentum.
Victor Wembanyama has largely been excellent throughout the Finals, but New York has increasingly forced other Spurs players to beat them.
That strategy has worked.
What’s Next?
Game 5 now shifts back to San Antonio.
For the Spurs, it’s simple: win or the season ends.
For the Knicks, one more victory would complete one of the most remarkable championship runs in franchise history and deliver their first NBA title in more than five decades.
After four games, momentum belongs entirely to New York.
The Spurs still have the talent to extend the series.
But after blowing a 29-point lead and watching OG Anunoby create a Finals moment that will be replayed for years, the pressure is now squarely on San Antonio.
NBA Finals Games 3 & 4 Statistics
Game 3 – Spurs 115, Knicks 111
Spurs:
Field Goals: 42-86 (48.8%)
Three-Pointers: 13-31 (41.9%)
Free Throws: 18-22 (81.8%)
Rebounds: 44
Assists: 28
Turnovers: 8
Points Off Turnovers: 21
Fast Break Points: 17
Bench Points: 29
Knicks:
Field Goals: 40-88 (45.5%)
Three-Pointers: 12-35 (34.3%)
Free Throws: 19-24 (79.2%)
Rebounds: 41
Assists: 22
Turnovers: 14
Points Off Turnovers: 9
Fast Break Points: 10
Bench Points: 22
Spurs Leaders:
Victor Wembanyama – 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals
Stephon Castle – 23 points, 5 assists
Knicks Leaders:
Jalen Brunson – 32 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds
OG Anunoby – 28 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
Game 4 – Knicks 107, Spurs 106
Team Statistics
Knicks:
Field Goals: 38-84 (45.2%)
Three-Pointers: 12-34 (35.3%)
Free Throws: 19-24 (79.2%)
Rebounds: 47
Assists: 24
Turnovers: 10
Spurs:
Field Goals: 39-87 (44.8%)
Three-Pointers: 11-32 (34.4%)
Free Throws: 17-22 (77.3%)
Rebounds: 43
Assists: 25
Turnovers: 13
Largest Lead: 29
Second-Half Points: 30
Knicks Leaders:
Jalen Brunson – 36 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds
OG Anunoby – 33 points, 8 rebounds, game-winning tip-in
Karl-Anthony Towns – 18 points, 12 rebounds
Spurs Leaders:
Victor Wembanyama – 29 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks
De’Aaron Fox – 22 points, 7 assists
Series Statistics Through Four Games
Jalen Brunson (Knicks): 29.5 PPG, 6.8 APG, 4.9 RPG
OG Anunoby (Knicks): 25.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG
Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks): 19.3 PPG, 11.1 RPG
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs): 28.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 4.1 APG, 3.4 BPG
Team Comparison
Knicks:
Offensive Rating: 114.8
Defensive Rating: 108.4
Rebounds Per Game: 45.3
Turnovers Per Game: 11.1
Fourth Quarter Net Rating: +12.6
Spurs:
Offensive Rating: 111.2
Defensive Rating: 113.9
Rebounds Per Game: 42.8
Turnovers Per Game: 12.4
Fourth Quarter Net Rating: -11.8