The San Antonio Spurs appeared to have the NBA Finals in hand after building a 29‑point advantage, but a late surge by the New York Knicks turned the tide, leaving the Spurs scrambling in the final minutes.
ESPN analyst Charles Barkley did not hold back, labeling the Spurs the "dumbest basketball team in the history of civilization" and questioning their shot selection, while fellow analyst Shaquille O'Neal echoed the sentiment, calling the performance "terrible basketball."
Barkley’s Blistering Take
The criticism spread quickly on social media, where many users agreed that the Spurs' poor three‑point shooting and lack of smart play contributed to the collapse. Some commentators even compared the loss to the 2016 Warriors' defeat by the Cavaliers, though most agreed the Spurs' self‑inflicted errors were the primary cause.
De'Aaron Fox's late attempt with 19 seconds remaining was blocked, sealing the Knicks' comeback and setting up a pivotal Game 5. Both teams now head back to the court with the series hanging in the balance, and the Spurs will look to regroup after a night of harsh critique.