The New York Knicks have the biggest comeback in the history of the NBA Finals achieved and are on the verge of winning the title for the first time in 53 years.
Jalen Brunson’s team turned around a 29-point deficit on Thursday (CEST) and beat them 107:106 (49:76) in a highly exciting game San Antonio Spurs through.
OG Anunoby tapped a rebound into the basket with 1.2 seconds left to make the decision. Spurs’ last throw missed its target. The Knicks now lead 3-1 and can secure their first championship title since 1973 in Texas on Sunday (CEST).
Anunoby: “It’s electric”
“We are resilient“said Anunoby after his decisive action.”We didn’t give up and pushed.“About the mood Madison Square Garden he said: “This is electric. These are the best fans in the world. It’s unbelievable.“
Brunson (36 points and seven assists) and OG Anunoby (33 points) excelled in the spectacular comeback against the Spurs, who brutally faded after an excellent first half. Previously there was a 24-point comeback Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers was the biggest comeback in an NBA Finals in 2008.
Jordan Clarkson (Knicks) in a duel with De’aaron Fox (Spurs)
“I don’t know if there has been a more important move in the history of Knicks basketball than this“, commented Knicks coach Mike Brown on Anunoby’s decisive basket, which sent the arena into ecstasy. Among the prominent fans in the Garden this time were pop diva Taylor Swift, director Spike Lee and actor Ben Stiller.
Wembanyama and Harper strong
Even 24 points and 13 rebounds from Spurs star player Victor Wembanyama were not enough to equalize the series. The five-time title holder from San Antonio now has to win three games in a row to still win the trophy. This was most recently achieved in the final Cleveland Cavaliers around superstar LeBron James in 2016.
“I can’t really explain it at the moment“Wembanyama said of Spurs’ slump:”I don’t know it. We clearly weren’t the most hungry team in the second half.“Coach Mitch Johnson called the outcome of the game”disappointing to say the least“.
The German Ariel Hukporti played minutes for the first time in these finals. Hukporti came on as a substitute for three minutes before half-time but didn’t play a major role. He could go after Dirk Nowitzki (2011 with the Dallas Mavericks) and Isaiah Hartenstein (2025 with the Oklahoma City Thunder) became the third German to win the NBA title. Game five will take place again in San Antonio on Sunday night (2.30 a.m./CEST).