San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks
The Spurs should’ve been 2-2 with the Knicks going back to San Antonio for Game 5 if they didn’t drop the ball in Game 4, and now they’re one defeat away from losing this year’s NBA Finals. Down 3-1, the Mitch Johnson-coached squad is backed against the wall and is hoping for divine intervention to keep their season alive.
Victor Wembanyama and co. made history for the wrong reasons on Wednesday night, as they blew a massive lead to lose 107-106 in Game 4. The Spurs have had their share of un-clutch moments in this series, which is a part of their growing pains.
Knicks fans are ecstatic after Game 4, as they’re one win away from breaking their Larry O’Brien trophy drought. And the streets of New York are running wild as we speak.
Talking Points
Spurs’ inexperience rearing its ugly head
The Spurs got off to a brisk start in Game 4, as they outscored the Knicks 41-22, setting a new record for the largest first-quarter lead by a road team in NBA Finals history. They also knocked down a whopping 14 three-pointers in the first two quarters against New York, setting the new record for the most threes made in the first half of an NBA Finals game.
However, the Spurs unraveled in the second half, and the Knicks fought back. Victor Wembanyama questioned the team’s killer instinct during his postgame presser, and he was right, as San Antonio veered away from what made them successful in the first half.
The Spurs’ offence stagnated, as they settled mostly for outside jumpers and isolation plays, while the Knicks turned up the pace with the help of sparkplug Jose Alvarado. Wembanyama, who had 16 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the field in the opening half, only had eight points on 3-for-14 shooting the rest of the way.
The Frenchman missed two crucial free throws that would’ve extended the Spurs’ lead to three points when their lead was cut to one late. And De’Aaron Fox’s decision to attack OG Anunoby in transition (instead of holding the ball and drawing a foul for free throws) gave New York one more chance to take the lead.
Anunoby’s hand puts the Knicks on the brink
After Anunoby blocked Fox’s layup, the Knicks had the chance to win the game. Jalen Brunson missed his pull-up three-pointer over Victor Wembanyama, but OG Anunoby came out of nowhere and tipped the ball in, as no one boxed him out.
Anunoby set a new career playoff high in Game 4, notching 33 points, four rebounds, and seven three-pointers on 10-for-15 shooting from the field in 41 minutes. He has been a solid two-way performer for New York this series, making him the marginal favourite to win Finals MVP.
Brunson scored a game-high 36 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and three steals on 12-for-25 shooting from the field in 44 minutes, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
History
History is not on the Spurs’ side ahead of Saturday night, as only one team has successfully rallied from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals. That was the 2016 Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, as they took down the 73-9 Warriors for their first championship in franchise history and Cleveland’s first in more than five decades across all professional sports in the United States.
The Knicks’ comeback from a 29-point deficit in Game 4 set a new record, surpassing the Celtics’ mark in 2008, when they defeated the Lakers on the road in Game 4 to go up 3-1 as well. Boston eventually won their 17th championship in franchise history in Game 6.
What are the odds?
It’s hard to trust the Spurs after Game 4, and the SBOTOP NBA 2026 odds agree. The Knicks are favoured at 1.20 to win the series, with the Spurs being the 4.12 underdogs. However, there’s a chance that the Spurs can delay the coronation, as they’re at 1.48 to win in Game 5, while the Knicks are at 2.72.
The past four games have been relatively low-scoring affairs, and Game 5 shouldn’t be any different. You can also go for Under 215.50 at 2.03, Under 216.00 at 1.97, Under 216.50 at 1.91, and Under 217.00 at 1.86.
Moreover, Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Brunson are expected to create new NBA 2026 highlights, so you may want to add Over 27.50 at 1.89 for the former and Over 28.50 at 1.97 for the latter to the parlay.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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