Key facts
- The Knicks lead the Spurs 3-1 in the NBA Finals.
- New York can win its first NBA championship since 1973 on Saturday night.
- The Knicks rallied from 29 points down in Game 4 to win 107-106.
- The Spurs have led by double digits in all four games but lost three of them.
The New York Knicks are on the verge of winning their first NBA championship since 1973, holding a commanding 3-1 lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday night in San Antonio, where the Knicks have the opportunity to clinch the title.
Thousands of New York fans have traveled to Texas, anticipating a championship celebration. Despite the deficit, Spurs fans and players, including Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper, remain optimistic about their chances of forcing a Game 6. Harper emphasized the team's need to avoid complacency with leads, referencing their struggles in previous games where they held double-digit advantages but ultimately lost.
The Knicks secured their current position by completing a historic comeback in Game 4, rallying from 29 points down to win 107-106 on a last-second tip-in by OG Anunoby. This marked the largest comeback in NBA Finals history and the biggest comeback of the current season. Coach Mike Brown highlighted the team's focus on 'the next possession' and the increased desperation expected from an opponent facing elimination on their home court.
Referees Scott Foster, James Capers, and Tyler Ford have been assigned to officiate Game 5. If the Spurs manage to win, the series would return to New York for Game 6 on Tuesday.