Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
New York Knicks NBA Finals hopes are one win from reality after a 107-106 Game 4 victory over the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden gave New York a 3-1 series lead.
The Knicks survived a record-setting first half from San Antonio, then stormed back from a huge deficit to move within one victory of their first NBA title in decades.
The comeback adds to a dramatic Finals week, following Brooklyn Nets NBA Draft Trade Proposal Could Move Rebuild Toward Cameron Boozer, as the NBA spotlight stays fixed on New York basketball. Fans can follow official Finals updates through the NBA website.
Spurs Waste Historic First Half
San Antonio looked in control at halftime after building the largest halftime lead ever recorded by a road team in NBA Finals history.
The Spurs also made 14 three-pointers in the first half, setting a new Finals record for threes in a half.
But the game flipped after the break as New York increased its pressure and forced San Antonio into a tense finish.
The Spurs then allowed the largest blown lead in NBA Finals history, turning what looked like a series-tying win into a painful one-point loss.
Tatum Enjoys Finals From Afar
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum spoke with Dan Roberts of Front Office Sports on Thursday and said he is simply enjoying the series as a viewer.
"I'm not rooting for anybody, I'm also not rooting against anybody,” Tatum said. “I think it does help that I've won a championship already, so (it) helps me sleep a little better at night. L I just enjoy watching good basketball games.”
The Spurs now face elimination in Game 5 and will need a major response from Victor Wembanyama to extend the series.
De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell will also need cleaner decision-making and stronger perimeter scoring if San Antonio is to force Game 6.
The Knicks, meanwhile, have control of the series and a home crowd ready to sense history if they can finish the job.
