According to BBC Sport, the New York Knicks orchestrated the largest comeback in NBA Finals history on Friday night, overcoming a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 at Madison Square Garden. The dramatic victory gives the Knicks a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, putting them just one win away from their first championship since 1973.

London-born OG Anunoby was the hero, tipping in a basket with just 1.2 seconds remaining to clinch the improbable win. The Spurs had appeared to be cruising to victory, establishing a 29-point lead in the second quarter and holding a 76-49 advantage at half-time – the largest half-time lead for a road team in Finals history.

A historic collapse and a record comeback

As reported by BBC Sport, San Antonio’s dominance in the first half was stark, with Victor Wembanyama leading the charge, ultimately finishing with a team-high 24 points and 13 rebounds. However, the Spurs’ offensive rhythm evaporated after the break, as they managed a mere 30 points across the entire second half. The Knicks, fuelled by a raucous home crowd that included celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Timothée Chalamet, began to chip away at the deficit.

Despite the resurgence, the Knicks still trailed 90-75 heading into the fourth quarter. Their relentless pressure, however, eventually paid dividends. Jalen Brunson, who had been a driving force throughout the comeback, put the Knicks in front for the first time in the game, making it 105-104 with 82 seconds left on the clock.

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The magnitude of San Antonio’s collapse drew sharp criticism from ESPN analyst and former NBA MVP Charles Barkley.

“That was some of the most mismanaged, stupid basketball,” Barkley said, via BBC Sport. “When you blow a 29-point lead, the other team has to help, and the San Antonio Spurs helped the New York Knicks win this game.”

Wembanyama, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, also reflected on his team’s second-half performance.

“I can’t really explain it right now. I don’t know. I think it’s just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half,” he said, according to BBC Sport.

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Anunoby’s heroics seal dramatic win

As highlighted by BBC Sport, Anunoby delivered crucial plays on both ends of the court. He made a vital block with 11.1 seconds left, denying the Spurs a potential go-ahead score, before securing the game-winning tip-in moments later.

The previous record for the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history was 24 points, set by the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.

The Knicks will now travel to San Antonio for Game Five with the opportunity to close out the series and secure the championship. The game is scheduled to tip off at 01:30 BST on Sunday.

Sources: www.bbc.com

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