The New York Knicks aim to secure their first NBA title since 1973 in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs, who are facing elimination after a historic Finals collapse. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 following a dramatic comeback win in Game 4.
Key points
Knicks lead NBA Finals series 3-1
Spurs face elimination after historic collapse
Knicks seek first title since 1973
Game 5 is crucial for Spurs' survival
Knicks overcame 29-point deficit in Game 4
NBA FinalsNew York KnicksSan Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs now own the worst collapse in NBA Finals history, but they refuse to be counted out yet.
While the New York Knicks look to clinch their first NBA title since 1973, the Spurs aim to stay alive in the best-of-seven series when they host Game 5 on Saturday night.
New York holds a 3-1 lead after overcoming a 29-point deficit in Game 4 and notching a 107-106 victory over the crestfallen Spurs.
“The games that we’re losing have all been close games,” San Antonio point guard De’Aaron Fox said on Friday. “We still have that belief that we have a chance to win. But we’re taking this one game at a time.
“We’re not looking at it as we need to win three games. We need to win tomorrow and then we give ourselves a chance to play another game.”
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) tries to shoot over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) tries to shoot over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals [Frank Franklin II/AP]
How Knicks went 3-1 up in the NBA Finals
The Knicks won 105-95 and 105-104 in San Antonio to open the series. The Spurs recorded a 115-111 win in New York in Game 3 before the stunning meltdown on Wednesday.
The previous largest documented comeback in an NBA Finals game was 24 by the Boston Celtics over the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.
San Antonio led by 20 with 9:33 left in the game. Five minutes later, its lead was just four. The Knicks finished off the comeback with OG Anunoby’s stellar tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining.
Q&A
What is the current series score between the Knicks and Spurs in the NBA Finals?
The New York Knicks lead the series 3-1 against the San Antonio Spurs.
When was the last time the Knicks won an NBA title?
The New York Knicks last won an NBA title in 1973.
What significant event happened in Game 4 of the NBA Finals?
In Game 4, the Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit to win 107-106 against the Spurs.
What do the Spurs need to do to stay in the NBA Finals?
The Spurs need to win Game 5 to stay alive in the series and avoid elimination.
See every story in News — including breaking news and analysis.
Knicks vs Spurs Game 5 will be ‘hard’, says Brown
Knicks coach Mike Brown is setting aside all the feel-good moments as his club endeavours to end the 53-year title drought. He rates trying to close out the Finals in a Game 5 at San Antonio as a tough chore.
“It’s going to be hard,” Brown said. “San Antonio’s a great team. They’re desperate. I still think they believe. It’s going to be hard for us.”
Knicks star guard Jalen Brunson has not forgotten his team was down 29 in Game 4. Otherwise, he’s only looking ahead.
Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson is taking lessons from Game 4 as they head into Saturday’s highly anticipated Game 5 [Sarah Stier/Getty Images via AFP]
“I’ve always told myself when you wake up the next day, it’s time to turn the page,” Brunson said. “Yes, we won, but we still have a lot of work to do. We have a lot to learn. We didn’t play our best basketball. We still have a lot to revisit to make sure that we don’t really put ourselves in that position again.”
Brunson recorded 36 points and seven assists in Game 4 and has scored 30 points or more three times in the series.
Anunoby established career postseason bests of seven 3-pointers and 33 points to go with the tip-in that is already etched in Knicks’ lore.
“Everyone has been telling me how much it means, and obviously I can see how much it means,” Anunoby said. “It’s just really cool to be a part of it, and I’m very grateful.”
‘No time to regret,’ says Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots but was just 9-of-25 shooting in Game 4. He has scored at least 24 points in each game but is shooting just 43.5 percent from the field in the series.
Only one team has overcome a 3-1 series deficit to win the NBA title. That was the LeBron James-led 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers who recovered to beat a Golden State Warriors’ squad that won 73 regular-season games.
Wembanyama insists San Antonio can equal that feat. After all, the Spurs had a chance to win each of the first four games.
“Harder than any other game before, by far, for sure,” Wembanyama said of shaking off the Game 4 loss. “I mean, now we’re over it. It’s the playoffs. There’s no time to regret things for too long.”
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) tries to shoot over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals basketball series, Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby (8) tries to shoot over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of Game 4 [Frank Franklin II/AP]
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson knows a big opportunity was missed as his club scored just 30 second-half points after pouring in 76 in the first half. But he refuses to get buried in what-if thinking.
“There’s no avoiding what’s happened,” Johnson said. “There’s no avoiding [that] all four games have been winnable games. There’s no avoiding we’re down 3-1. There’s no avoiding ways that we could be better.
“There’s nobody that’s going to be harder on ourselves, and accountable to ourselves, than the people in the locker room and each other. That’s what helped us get to where we are, and how the group is built.”
