How the Knicks Overcame a 29-Point Deficit: 5 Key Factors

• Wembanyama’s late-game heroics: After a slow start, Wembanyama scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half, including the game-winning three with 1.2 seconds remaining.
• Spurs’ defensive collapse: San Antonio’s usually stingy defense allowed 19 second-half points on 10-of-16 shooting from three-point range in the final 10 minutes.
• Knicks’ bench production: New York’s role players (Jalen Brunson, Mitchell Robinson, and Cam Thomas) combined for 42 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter.
• Coaching adjustments: Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau called a timeout with 1:03 left to set up the game-winning possession.
• Series momentum: The win gave New York home-court advantage for Game 7, where they’ll need to hold off the Spurs’ star power.

Game 6 Recap: How the Knicks Turned the Tide

The game began as a statement from the Spurs, who jumped out to a 19-3 lead in the first five minutes. Wembanyama (22 points, 14 rebounds) and DeMar DeRozan (18 points) dominated early, but the Knicks’ offense sputtered, shooting just 33.3% from the field in the first half.

At halftime, the score was 66-37 in favor of the Spurs—a deficit the Knicks had never overcome in franchise history. But New York’s bench stepped up in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 78-65. The turning point came when Mitchell Robinson blocked a DeRozan layup with 10:30 remaining in the third, sparking a 10-0 Knicks run.

With 1:03 left, the Knicks trailed 103-102. Thibodeau called a timeout, and Wembanyama—who had been held scoreless in the final 10 minutes—drove to the basket, drew a foul, and sank both free throws. The Spurs inbounded to DeRozan, who missed a three-pointer, and Wembanyama grabbed the rebound and hit the game-winning three with 0.2 seconds remaining.

“This is the biggest game of my life, and I’m just glad we didn’t give up.” — Victor Wembanyama, post-game.

Numbers That Explain the Knicks’ Historic Comeback

According to official NBA game stats, the Knicks’ second-half offensive explosion was fueled by 14 three-point makes, including six in the final 5:30. The Spurs, meanwhile, shot just 25% from three in the second half, a stark contrast to their 50% first-half mark.

Why This Comeback Matters: Knicks’ First Finals Victory Since 1973

The Knicks’ victory marked their first NBA Finals win since 1973, when Willis Reed famously hobbled onto the court in Game 7 against the Los Angeles Lakers. This comeback, however, stands apart for its magnitude—the 29-point deficit was the largest in NBA Finals history that a team has overcome.

Previous attempts to overcome a 20+ point deficit in the Finals include:

• 1986 Celtics vs. 76ers (20-point deficit, Game 7)
• 2001 Lakers vs. 76ers (19-point deficit, Game 5)
• 2011 Mavericks vs. Heat (16-point deficit, Game 6)

According to Sports Illustrated, the Knicks’ resilience is all the more remarkable given their 24-40 regular-season record before the playoffs. Their playoff run—including a first-round sweep of the Celtics—has been one of the biggest underdog stories in NBA history.

Reactions: Players, Coaches, and Fans

Victor Wembanyama, named Finals MVP after the game, called the comeback “unbelievable” and credited his teammates for never giving up.

“I didn’t think about the deficit. I just thought about playing.” — Wembanyama, post-game press conference.

Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who had led his team to a 3-2 series lead, admitted his squad “lost focus” in the second half.

“We had a lot of chances to put the game away, but we didn’t execute.” — Gregg Popovich.

Madison Square Garden erupted as the final buzzer sounded, with fans chanting “Let’s go Knicks!” The atmosphere inside the arena was electric, with many in attendance calling it the most thrilling game in NBA Finals history.

Game 7 Preview: Knicks at Home vs. Spurs

Game 7 will tip off at 20:00 UTC (16:00 ET) on Saturday, June 22, at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will look to become the first team since the 2001 Lakers to win a Game 7 after trailing three games to two.

Key storylines to watch:

• Wembanyama’s durability: The French center played 40 minutes in Game 6 and will need to stay fresh for Game 7.
• Spurs’ offensive firepower: DeRozan (24 PPG in the series) and LaMelo Ball (20 PPG) will need to step up against a Knicks defense that struggled in the first half of Game 6.
• Knicks’ bench production: If New York’s role players continue their strong play, they could overwhelm the Spurs in a close game.
• Coaching adjustments: Thibodeau will need to manage his bench rotation carefully to avoid fatigue.

According to official NBA standings, a Knicks victory would give them their first championship since 1973, while a Spurs win would send them to their first Finals since 2014.

Common Questions About the Knicks’ Historic Comeback