New York Knicks complete record 29-point comeback against Spurs
The New York Knicks moved within one victory of their first championship since 1973 after overcoming a record 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in game four of the NBA Finals.
OG Anunoby’s dramatic tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining sealed the historic turnaround at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
The monumental victory gives the Eastern Conference franchise a commanding 3-1 series lead in the best-of-seven contest.
Trailing by 20 points with less than ten minutes to play, the hosts staged an unprecedented late rally to stun their Texan opposition.
Anunoby tips the balance in historic rally
The home side appeared utterly defeated when they faced an enormous 29-point deficit midway through the third quarter.
Frustrations briefly threatened to derail the comeback when Josh Hart missed a crucial two-handed layup in the closing stages.
However, the former Toronto Raptors forward intervened at the death, converting an offensive rebound to complete the greatest turnaround in NBA Finals history.
Former Knicks guard Latrell Sprewell, who played in the franchise’s last finals appearance 27 years ago, was courtside to witness the incredible scenes.
“I can’t even put it into words.”
Sprewell told ESPN.
“We were just thinking, ‘Get it close. Get it to 25, get it to 20, get it to 15, get it to 10. Put the pressure on them.'”
Ending a half-century drought
Captain Jalen Brunson and his teammates now stand on the precipice of delivering New York’s first basketball world title in over five decades.
The current roster is successfully avenging the 1999 finals defeat, where a team featuring Sprewell and an injured Patrick Ewing managed just one victory against San Antonio.
Past franchise greats, including prolific scorer Carmelo Anthony, joined celebrities and fans on the hardwood as celebrations erupted long into the night.
The team will now look to close out the series in game five, ensuring their legendary fightback is rewarded with the ultimate prize.