NBA Finals 2026: New York Knicks beat San Antonio Spurs in document comeback

NBA legend Charles Barkley branded the San Antonio Spurs “the dumbest Basketball group within the historical past of civilisation” after the New York Knicks pulled off the most important comeback in NBA Finals historical past.

The Spurs led by 29 factors as they aimed to degree the best-of-seven sequence in New York earlier than internet hosting sport 5, however the Knicks fought again to win 107-106.

London-born OG Anunoby claimed a tip-in basket with 1.2 seconds left to clinch victory, a lot to the delight of a star-studded crowd at Madison Sq. Backyard, which included Taylor Swift and Timothee Chalamet.

It gave the Knicks a 3-1 lead within the sequence and put them inside one win of their first championship since 1973.

The earlier greatest comeback within the NBA Finals was 24 factors, by the Boston Celtics towards the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.

San Antonio went 29 factors up within the second quarter and their 27-point lead at half-time (76-49) was the biggest for a street group in Finals historical past, however they then scored simply 30 factors within the second half.

“That was a few of the most mismanaged, silly basketball,” stated ESPN analyst and former NBA most dear participant Barkley.

“While you blow a 29-point lead, the opposite group has to assist, and the San Antonio Spurs helped the New York Knicks win this sport.”

Victor Wembanyama scored a team-high 24 factors for San Antonio and claimed 13 rebounds.

“I am unable to actually clarify it proper now,” stated the NBA’s defensive participant of the yr.

“I do not know. I feel it is simply execution, greediness of some type. We clearly weren’t essentially the most hungry within the second half.”

The Knicks nonetheless trailed 90-75 heading into the fourth quarter however Jalen Brunson put them in entrance for the primary time at 105-104 with 82 seconds remaining.

Anunoby then made a block with 11.1 seconds left, to cease the Spurs main 108-105, earlier than tipping within the game-clinching rating after Brunson’s three-point try struck the rim.

“One phrase that caps that every one is simply ‘perception’,” Brunson informed ESPN. “It was chipping away, one possession at a time. It wasn’t going to be one play to get us again.”

Recreation 5 is in San Antonio on Saturday (01:30 BST, Sunday).