“OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, with the New York Knicks defeating the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 to take a 3-1 series lead, according to the NBA. The Knicks trailed by 29 points in the second half before mounting a historic rally, with Jalen Brunson scoring 36 points and Anunoby adding 33. Charles Barkley, commenting on the game, said, “I’ve never experienced what I experienced tonight.
The Game-Winning Tip-In: A Historic Moment
OG Anunoby’s game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals etched his name into Knicks lore, completing the largest comeback in Finals history. Trailing by 29 points in the second half, New York clawed back to win 107-106, with Anunoby scoring 33 points and making seven 3-pointers. The play itself was a chaotic sequence: Jalen Brunson missed a 3-pointer, Anunoby crashed the rim, and despite being outjumped by Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, he guided the ball into the hoop. “I just went and crashed,” Anunoby said, describing the moment. “The ball went over my head, so I couldn’t really dunk it. So I tried to tip it in softly and it went in.
The sequence marked a dramatic turnaround for a Knicks offense that had looked stagnant for the first two quarters. The venue, Madison Square Garden, erupted as the buzzer sounded, marking a pivotal shift in a series that had previously been dominated by the length and defensive prowess of the San Antonio Spurs. For Anunoby, the basket represented the culmination of a high-usage night where he was forced to shoulder additional scoring responsibilities due to the Spurs’ defensive focus on neutralizing Jalen Brunson’s drives to the paint.
Reactions from the Court and Beyond
The magnitude of the comeback resonated beyond the court. Charles Barkley, a 40-year NBA veteran, called it “the most iconic shot in the history of New York basketball,” according to The New York Times. “I don’t know if there was a play bigger than any other play in the history of Knicks basketball,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said, echoing the sentiment. ESPN’s Mike Breen described the scene at Madison Square Garden as “pure joy for these long-suffering fans,” noting that Brunson’s scoring surge and the Knicks’ suffocating defense “had never seen a comeback like this.
For more on this story, see OG Anunoby’s Game-Winning Play Leads Knicks’ Historic 29-Point Comeback vs. Spurs – Full Breakdown.
The atmosphere inside the arena during the final minutes was described by media members as deafening, with the crowd’s energy playing a tangible role in the Knicks’ defensive stops. The Spurs, visibly shaken by the rapid erosion of their 29-point lead, struggled to regain their composure during the final timeout, a moment that proved critical as the Knicks’ momentum became insurmountable.
The Road to the Comeback
The Knicks’ rally began in the third quarter, where they outscored the Spurs 26-14, holding them to 20% shooting while hitting 5-of-10 3-pointers. By the fourth quarter, New York had cut the deficit to single digits, with Anunoby’s 3-pointer in the final minutes sparking a 20-4 run. The game featured twists that defied logic: Josh Hart missed an uncontested layup that would have sealed the win, and Spurs star Victor Wembanyama missed two free throws that could have extended his team’s lead. “I would have had a lifetime of regret” if Anunoby hadn’t made the tip-in, Hart admitted, per NBC News.
The Spurs’ inability to secure defensive rebounds in the final three minutes allowed the Knicks to earn multiple second-chance opportunities. This tactical failure on the boards, combined with the Knicks’ decision to switch to a smaller, more mobile lineup, forced San Antonio into contested jump shots rather than high-percentage looks inside the paint. The statistical shift in the second half was stark; the Spurs, who had dominated the interior for the first two quarters, were limited to just four points in the restricted area during the final frame.
Historical Context and Legacy
Anunoby’s shot surpassed legendary moments in Knicks history, including Larry Johnson’s four-point play in 1999 and Allan Houston’s bouncing ball in the same year. Willis Reed’s 1970 Finals jumpers, which he took while limping, also paled in comparison to the stakes of this game. “This one probably tops them all,” The New York Times wrote, noting that the Knicks now sit one win away from their first title since 1973. The Spurs, meanwhile, faced their own struggles, shooting 41.9% for the game compared to the Knicks’ 46.2% efficiency.
In the broader scope of NBA history, the 29-point deficit marks the largest comeback ever recorded in an NBA Finals game. The previous record, set in 2008, involved an 24-point rally. This achievement places the 2026 Knicks in a unique statistical echelon, highlighting the volatility of modern playoff basketball where the three-point shot allows for rapid scoring swings in short periods. For the Spurs, the loss is a significant blow to their championship aspirations, as they must now return to their home court facing the pressure of a 3-1 deficit, a position from which very few teams have historically recovered in the Finals.
This follows our earlier report, How to Watch Knicks vs. Cavaliers Eastern Conference Finals in France: beIN Sports Broadcast Update.
What’s Next for the Knicks?
With a 3-1 series lead, the Knicks are poised to clinch their first NBA title in 53 years if they win Game 5. The team’s resilience—highlighted by Brunson’s 36 points and Anunoby’s clutch performance—has reinvigorated a franchise long associated with near-misses. However, the Spurs, who entered the game as heavy favorites, will look to regroup. “We’re resilient. We never give up,” Anunoby said, reflecting the team’s mindset. As the NBA Finals shift to San Antonio for Game 5, the narrative of this series will hinge on whether the Knicks can maintain their momentum or if the Spurs can mount their own comeback.
Game 5 is scheduled to take place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The Knicks’ roster, which has relied heavily on a tight rotation, will need to manage fatigue as they prepare for the travel and the hostile environment. For the Spurs, the focus remains on the health and efficiency of Victor Wembanyama, who has been the focal point of their offense throughout the postseason. With the series on the line, both teams are expected to adjust their defensive schemes, with the Spurs likely emphasizing perimeter containment to prevent the Knicks from repeating their second-half shooting performance.
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