Knicks Erase 29-Point Deficit to Beat Spurs and Take 3-1 Lead in NBA Finals
New York rallied from a 29-point hole to defeat San Antonio, marking the largest comeback in NBA Finals history and giving the Knicks a 3-1 series advantage.
New York overcame a 29-point deficit, the largest in NBA Finals history, to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 108-105 at Madison Square Garden and move ahead 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. The Knicks trailed by 20 points in the fourth quarter before a late surge capped by a tip-in from forward OG Anunoby with 1.2 seconds remaining secured the win.
Jalen Brunson, the team's leading scorer, drove the ball up the court with the Knicks down by one point and missed a three-point attempt with five seconds left. Anunoby's tip-in off the rim gave New York the final basket.
The previous record for a single-game comeback in the Finals was a 24-point rally by the Boston Celtics in 2008. A victory in the series would give the Knicks their first championship since 1973.
"We showed resilience and belief," said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau after the game.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson addressed the loss in a post-game press conference, acknowledging the team's effort despite the collapse.
The win sparked extended celebrations among fans inside the arena, with the crowd remaining after the final buzzer.
