Spurs' 29‑Point Lead evaporates in overtime thriller
The New York Knicks seized a dramatic 107‑106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, turning a 29‑point deficit into a one‑point win with a clutch three‑pointer from OG Anunoby as the clock expired.
The arena in San Antonio was electric, the crowd oscillating between disbelief and jubilation as the Knicks erased a massive hole that had seemed insurmountable just minutes earlier.
Barkley and O'Neal blast the Spurs
Analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal did not mince words, labeling the Spurs' second‑half performance the dumbest basketball they had ever witnessed and accusing the team of growing comfortable with a lead that evaporated.
Barkley, known for his blunt commentary, said the Spurs seemed to relax once the margin widened, a mindset that ultimately cost them the game, while O'Neal echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the lack of hunger that allowed New York to rally.
A championship within reach
With the series now standing at 3‑1, the Knicks are one win away from capturing their first NBA title since 1973, a milestone that would energize a fan base that has waited decades for a championship.
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday night back in San Antonio, where the Spurs will attempt to stave off elimination and force a return to New York for a potential Game 6.
Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, after the final buzzer, acknowledged that the team's execution faltered in the latter half and that the lack of intensity was a critical factor in the loss.
The defeat underscores how quickly momentum can shift in high‑stakes basketball, reminding observers that even a commanding lead can be erased by a single possession and a relentless opponent.