The Spurs may have been their own heel on Wednesday night.
A historic 29-point collapse in Game 4 against the Knicks — a 107-106 loss that left them on the brink of NBA Finals runner-up status — perhaps left too much on the extremely high shoulders of 7-foot-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama.
“Second half he plays all but 57 seconds… I feel like he totally ran out of gas,” ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said on “Get Up” on Thursday morning. “I don’t understand why he was not getting more rest in the game. At the end of the third quarter he’d played five more minutes than he played in Game 3 and that was a one-point game this was a 15-point game.
Wembanyama shooting free throws in Game 4 of the NBA finals NBAE via Getty Images
“He couldn’t move defensively, that made it easier for the Knicks and offensively, he was unable to get anything. At one point he went 1 of 10. When he gets fatigued he starts flopping around.”
In Game 3, Wembanyama cemented himself as a force and a Knicks villain, posting 32 points with eight rebounds and six assists in 39 minutes during the 115-111 win at the Garden. He seemed destined to follow it up on Wednesday as he trolled the hometown team throughout the first half as the Spurs built up a 29-point lead, scoring 16 of his own with six rebounds and a pair of massive blocks.
In return, Windhorst believes coach Mitch Johnson did him no favors, playing him 23:02 of a possible 24 minutes as he went 3 of 14 from the field for eight points as San Antonio helplessly watched its lead dwindle.
He finished the night with 43:55 played, well above is postseason average of 34 and his highest non-overtime total of the playoffs with 24 points — his lowest output of the NBA Finals.
AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
“I gotta say, if you are going to talk trash and you are going to do some of the stuff that he does — which he does — you can’t let this happen at the end of the game,” the longtime reporter said.
With just 1:47 left in the fourth quarter, Wenbanyama stepped up to the foul line looking to extend the Spurs’ one-point lead. But the possible fatigue and the overwhelming arena atmosphere appeared to get to him. The center, usually very composed at the line, missed both of his free throws attempts.
“I think it began before that,” the Frenchman said of the fourth-quarter collapse. “I can’t really explain it right now. I don’t know. I think it’s just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”
For Wembanyama and the Spurs, now their backs are against the wall. The Spurs will now have to win three straight games to win the NBA championship.
A grueling first half of foul trouble limited Karl-Anthony Towns' impact in Game 4 of the NBA Finals
But with everything on the line in tonight's Knicks vs. Spurs predictions, my expert projections favor a disciplined bounce-back for KAT in Game 5.
Look for the 7-foot star to anchor the interior and blow past his current prop totals as he tries to secure a championship for the Knicks, who are 5.5-point underdogs.
Find out why in my NBA picks for Saturday, June 13, and don't miss tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
UPDATE: Added prediction for who will win & a +900 SGP!
Knicks vs Spurs Game 5 prediction
Who will win Knicks vs Spurs Game 5?
Spurs: This series is much tighter than the 3-1 count would lead you to believe. San Antonio goes home to recover from the massive gut punch that was another blown lead, but has an extra day between games to rest up and shake off the stink of that 29-point implosion. So many little things have bounced New York’s way in this series – and in the playoffs overall – that there has to be regression. A letdown spot after a magical night in MSG and traveling to Texas could allow reality to bubble to the surface. I’ll side with the oddsmakers and say San Antonio survives Game 5.
Knicks vs Spurs best bet: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points (+100)
Karl-Anthony Towns sat for most of the first half of Game 4 but was ready to roll in the second half, playing 18 of 24 minutes.
His offense, however, was understandably spotty, and much like Game 3, Towns couldn’t get into a rhythm. Mike Brown’s plan for Game 4 was to get Towns going early, but that went out the window.
I’m not backing off KAT in Game 5. He salvaged 13 points Wednesday, not too short of his total of 17.5, considering the circumstances.
Projections sit as high as 21+ with my number at 18.7 points, which should have Over 17.5 listed at -118.
COVERS INTEL:Towns’ usage was at 23.5% in his limited time in the first half of Game 4, in which he scored six points in just eight minutes. That’s higher than his average usage of 19.9% in the first two games in San Antonio, when KAT finished with 18 and 21 points.
Knicks vs Spurs Game 5 same-game parlay
The San Antonio Spurs’ inexperience has them backed into a 3-1 hole, but that youth could also be a strength in this spot. San Antonio is just young and dumb enough to shake Game 4.
The extended two-day break also works in their favor, especially when it comes to recharging Victor Wembanyama’s draining batteries. He looked tired and passive in the second half on Wednesday.
The Spurs have had the New York Knicks by the throat several times in the series and have shown resiliency enough in the playoffs, going 7-2 SU and ATS off a loss. They might not cover a bigger number, but can stay alive in Game 5.
Towns was passive in Game 3 and then got two quick whistles to ice his offense in Game 4. Mike Brown wants to run his offense through KAT, and we’ll see that in Game 5... as long as the refs don’t get trigger-happy.
Towns looked great in San Antonio in the opening two games, and his scoring prop is providing great value, with projections calling for 21+ points on Saturday.
Much like KAT, Stephon Castle got into foul trouble and couldn’t find his stroke in Game 4, shooting just 2-for-7 from the field. He kept attacking and knocked down all eight of his free-throw attempts.
Castle finished with 13 points in just 26 minutes — tying his second-lowest action in the postseason. Game 5 models sit as high as 19 points from the Spurs guard, given his standard floor time.
Knicks vs Spurs SGP
Spurs moneyline
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Luck Number Seven (Footers)
Game 5 could be a battle of the bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns was a beast on the boards in the second half of Game 4, and his Game 5 forecasts call for as many 21+ and 14+ rebounds.
Victor Wembanyama carries the hopes of Texas basketball fans Saturday. The two days of downtime will help “The Alien” rest up, with his projections as high as 29 points.
Wembanyama will be contesting everything – from 3-pointers to layups. Expect an incredible two-way effort from him with the season on the line.
Knicks vs Spurs SGP
Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 points
Victor Wembanyama Over 3.5 blocks
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Knicks vs Spurs odds for Game 5
Spread: New York +5.5 (-110) | San Antonio -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: New York +170 | San Antonio -205
Over/Under: Over 216.5 (-110) | Under 216.5 (-110)
Knicks vs Spurs betting trend to know
The Under is 1-3 in the 2026 NBA Finals heading into Game 5, with the total sitting at 216.5 O/U. The Under has been the correct side of the total, with finals games going 45-69 O/U since the 2005-06 season (60.5%). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Spurs.
How to watch Knicks vs Spurs Game 5
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Knicks vs Spurs latest injuries
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NEW YORK (AP) — A brutal night for Victor Wembanyama continued even after he returned to his hotel on Wednesday, as he was pelted with boos from jeering Knicks fans and nearly struck by a flying egg.
A video shared online showed at least one egg tossed in the direction of the San Antonio Spurs superstar as he entered his hotel, flanked by security, following the team's game 4 loss to the Knicks.
It was not clear who threw the egg. The video showed taunting fans swarming the hotel, a few blocks south of Madison Square Garden.
A few seconds after the egg cracks on a street sign, Wembanyama turns around and confronts a person standing near the hotel's entrance, before continuing inside.
The Spurs did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarity on whether the object struck Wembanyama.
The confrontation followed a historic collapse by the Spurs, who now find themselves on the brink of elimination after blowing a 29-point lead to the Knicks. Wembanyama missed two key free throws in the game's final minutes.
The Knicks victory prompted scenes of bedlam and jubilation across New York City, as ecstatic fans packed the streets, set off fireworks, scaled lampposts and at times clashed with police.
According to the New York Police Department, 56 people were taken into custody for charges that ranged from assault to disorderly conduct.
“Once again, there were large crowds of people who engaged in incredibly reckless and dangerous behavior last night both during and after the game,” the police department said in a statement.
An NYPD spokesperson said they had nothing on file about the egg incident.
SAN FRANCISCO – Yaxel Lendeborg accomplished everything he possibly could have to end his college career.
His one season at Michigan finished with winning the national championship in a year where he was a Consensus All-American, Big Ten Player of the Year and made the Big Ten All-Defensive team. It was a storybook ending to one of the more unique paths going into the NBA draft in modern history.
Lendeborg came through Chase Center on Thursday afternoon for a pre-draft workout and in-person interview with the Warriors. He looked to show off his versatility on the court and his fun personality off it. Lendeborg went through individual drills and 3-on-3 in a competitive setting that included five other prospects, but none as highly touted as Lendeborg.
Already, Lendeborg can see his fit on the Warriors and how he would make an impact from Day 1 if they were to take him with the No. 11 pick. His answer wasn’t about himself. More so, it was about how he can help everybody else.
“I would say, like five assists a game maybe to start off,” Lendeborg said Thursday after his Warriors workout. “A lot of defense, fastbreak opportunities for me. Depending on if I’m here or anywhere else, my role will be a lot different. But if I was here, I’ll be more like a secondary ball-handler. Whenever Steph [Curry] is taken out of the game, I’ll be there to assist, maybe provide a little more offense or instant offense.”
Asked Yaxel Lendeborg how he believes he would impact the Warriors as a rookie from Day 1
Curry was in the building Thursday, though it wasn’t the first time Lendeborg has met the Warriors’ superstar. The two briefly chatted in LA right before Curry dropped 35 points and played hero down the stretch against the Clippers at Intuit Dome to keep the Warriors’ season alive in the NBA play-in tournament.
To this day, Lendeborg remembers defending Curry’s greatness growing up in arguments with his friends. Playing alongside him, like so many of Curry’s past teammates, would be a full-circle dream come true.
“It would be amazing,” Lendeborg said. “He provides so much gravity on the court that it really makes it super easy for other guys to score, other guys to just showcase any ability that they have.”
The connection between Curry, Lendeborg and the Warriors makes plenty of sense. He isn’t considered a project who will need time to develop. Lendeborg is labeled as a plug-and-play rookie as someone who will turn 24 years old prior to his first NBA game.
That can be a negative for many teams, and possibly a major positive for an older team like the Warriors that wants to compete for a chance to contend.
“I really don’t like the word ‘upside,’ because it’s basically just like, this guy can be better or not, or will he be better. If you’re better now, you can still try to get better every single day. But as far as upside, if we want to use that word, I think I have the same amount as everybody.”
Unlike most draft prospects who were big names in high school, Lendeborg barely even played high school basketball. Poor grades kept getting in the way, forcing him to go the junior college route, where he excelled at Arizona Western. Lendeborg then committed to St. John’s, until Rick Pitino’s hiring changed his course again, ultimately landing at UAB (The University of Alabama at Birmingham.
There, Lendeborg dominated lower competition. He twice led the American conference in rebounds and was named the AAC’s Defensive Player of the Year in both his seasons at UAB. At Michigan, Lendeborg became the complete player he wants to be in the NBA.
Averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, Lendeborg starred in his role next to two other future first-round picks in Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. Where he took the biggest leap was as an outside shooter. Lendeborg went from shooting 34.9 percent from three on just 1.5 attempts per game at UAB, to then shooting 4.5 threes per game at Michigan and making them at a 37.2 percent clip and also shot a career-high 82.4 percent at the free-throw line.
His versatility allows him to play the 3, 4 and even small-ball 5 as someone who measured in at just under 6-foot-9 barefoot and 241 pounds at the combine with a wingspan that goes further than 7-foot-3. Lendeborg’s favorite players to watch film of are Paolo Banchero, Naz Reid, LeBron James and Magic Johnson. He has heard the “Dominican LeBron” nickname handed to him, and he wears it with a badge of honor.
“I do. I really do,” he says. “It was really fun trying to keep that legacy.”
In the lead up to draft, which begins June 23, Lendeborg’s phone has been blowing up from notifications. Maybe even from you. He sees fans tagging him in mock drafts, and a lot have him going to the Warriors.
Thus far, Lendeborg has worked out for the Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder (Nos. 12 and 17), Miami Heat (No. 12), Milwaukee Bucks (No. 10), Charlotte Hornets (Nos. 14 and 18) and the Dallas Mavericks (No. 9). He also still has workouts to do for the Clippers (No. 5) and Atlanta Hawks (No. 8).
“In a way, it kind of makes me envision myself playing on a team like this, Charlotte, the Heat, all those teams that I’m getting mocked to,” Lendeborg says. “It kind of gives me something to get attached to. I can’t get too attached, though. If I don’t get drafted by any of them, I don’t want to be upset. Either way, it’s nice to see and it’s a blessing to be part of this.”
The blueprint for success in a Warriors jersey already is being built in Lendeborg’s head. He has had the chance to show them why he’s the right player to be their next top rookie, and now all Lendeborg can do is wait and see if they’ll call his name.
Los Angeles, CA - April 21: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Rockets in the first half of game 2 of a Western Conference first-round NBA playoff basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Welcome to our annual Lakers season in review series, where we’ll look back at each player on the team’s roster this season and evaluate if they should be part of the future of the franchise. Today, we look at Marcus Smart.
Whatever expectations the Lakers had when they signed Marcus Smart last summer were not only met but exceeded.
Through his gritty defense, vocal leadership and contagious effort, Smart quickly earned the respect of his teammates and fans alike. The veteran was everything his reputation advertised and the team needed.
Beyond his production, Smart’s impact and connectivity next to his star teammates also served as important proof of concept as the Lakers approach a pivotal offseason.
With the franchise expected to make significant changes this summer, Smart proved he can help contribute to whatever shape the roster takes if brought back. And if he’s not, he displayed how important having players like him can be.
How did they play?
Typically, 6’3” guards aren’t able to be defensive anchors for a team, but Smart is the exception.
Whether it was guarding up or down, diving for loose balls or stepping in for charges, Smart injected much-needed care into the Lakers’ defense.
It is no secret that the Lakers’ roster lacked defensive talent last season. However, there was a level of effort that Smart helped cultivate that ultimately got the most out of the group.
Even if the results didn’t equate to an above-average defense by the end of the year, Smart’s individual efforts deserve recognition.
Although much of his value comes from the intangible parts of his game, the numbers showcased how tangible his impact actually was.
The Lakers were a fantastic 8.9 points better with Smart on the floor this past season and allowed 7.3 points less per 100 possessions. Both are elite indicators of a player being a meaningful difference maker.
For as good and consistent as Smart was as a defensive tone setter, his offense waxed and waned.
Playing next to the likes of Luka Dončić , LeBron James and Austin Reaves, Smart was slotted off=ball more than ever before (72% of his makes were assisted on).
As a result, this put more of an emphasis on Smart’s perimeter shooting, an area he has historically been just okay at, which was the case once again. When removing garbage time, Smart converted just 33% of his 3-point attempts and 30% of his above-the-break chances.
While not as effective on offense as he is on defense, Smart showed how versatile and helpful he could still be.
Despite his struggles from the perimeter, Smart still found ways to be a spark on that end. His ball-handling, playmaking and downhill ability proved critical in the playoffs once Dončić and Reaves were ruled out. His knack for crashing the offensive glass also created countless extra possessions throughout the year.
What are their contract situations moving forward?
With a player option at his disposal, Smart can either opt into the remaining $5.3 million of his deal with the Lakers or opt out and test the market. After his strong year, there are expected to be plenty of suitors he can pick from.
At 32, Smart’s decision will likely come down to playing for a contender and/or landing a more lucrative deal than the one he currently has. The Lakers are uniquely able to offer Smart both.
With ample cap space and a clear role in place, a return may benefit both parties.
Should they be back?
If a new deal can be reached and is reasonable from both a financial and years perspective, the Lakers should absolutely bring Smart back into the fold.
Beyond checking multiple boxes on the court, Smart was also a successful case study of the type of players who succeed around Dončić and Reaves.
The fluidity and chemistry between the trio were evident as ineups featuring Smart, Reaves and Dončić had an incredible +22.1 net rating. For context, that was the best mark among all 3-man pairings last season.
In an ideal world, the Lakers could find a younger and better version of Smart this summer, allowing him to slide into a more appropriately sized role. Not only would this add more defensive talent and depth to the roster, but it would help Smart stay sharp and healthy all year.
Ultimately, it is not a guarantee that Smart would even want to return or prefer another opportunity elsewhere. But if he does opt to remain in Los Angeles, then the Lakers should be excited for a reunion.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts during the fourth quarter of game four of the 2026 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
What a game. What a team. Those players and us fans wish we could have those last seconds back, or heck, even the entire fourth quarter. The roller coaster ride of emotion had a lot of peaks but the downward swirl there in the fourth makes you almost want to erase it from your memory because of the pain it brought.
That’s what we at Pounding the Rock are here for. Join us on this journey to erase the pain of that loss. We have the technology. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, it means going through the better parts (highlights, if you will) of the game and remembering that the joy of winning never comes easy nor does it come without the disappointment of losing.
So sit back, try to enjoy some of the good parts of Wednesday’s game as we try to erase from memory the second half/fourth quarter of the game. If you hear the voices of Kate Winslet, peak career Jim Carrey, early career Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, and Elijah Wood, that’s normal. It’s completely normal.
Victor Wembanyama led the team with 24 points and pulled down 13 rebounds while Dylan Harper contributed 21 points on 8 -12 shooting off the bench.
Early on, there were some good, purposeful ball movement to find the open player in the corner for an open three. A lot of those seeing as how the team set a record for most threes in the first half. The first half being the operative word.
The Spurs swarmed early and got some easy points off of turnovers. Playing aggressive, yet loose, seems to be a winning formula they’ll hope to duplicate and maintain.
Victor Wembanyama got crafty with his footwork to get around his defender for the bucket inside. If this move was a craft beer, it’d be described as hoppy but a subtle bounce with a sweet aftertaste.
Analytically speaking, the pull-up mid-range jumper is inefficient. But aesthetically speaking, the mid-range jumper is pretty, especially when Dylan Harper is able to probe his way through the defense and make space for himself to pull up.
We know the second part of the saying “Live by the three . . .” but this is a highlights article remember, so we’ll stop there and have a moment to appreciate Carter Bryant’s early development into becoming the next great D and Three wing.
This mildly chaotic scrum off a jump ball ended with a drained three for the Spurs. The most impressive part was Dylan Harper fighting (successfully) for the ball in a sea of Knicks arms.
If you missed the game because you were too busy trying to duplicate the memory-erasing technology from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, here are the full-game highlights:
Next up, the Spurs will head home for Game 5 on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Sports bettors made a killing in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, which went straight into the history books after the New York Knicks completed the largest comeback in Finals history to beat the San Antonio Spurs.
Wednesday’s contest finished with a game-winning tip-in from OG Anunoby that capped off an incredible rally from a 29-point deficit.
Key Takeaways
The Knicks were as long as +3000 live underdogs at FanDuel.
86% of live moneyline bets at BetMGM were on the Knicks.
FanDuel has the Spurs as -5.5 favorites in Game 5.
The Knicks were -1.5 favorites at most sportsbooks heading into Game 4. It only took them less than two quarters to fall into a 71-42 hole, drawing a round of well-earned “boos” from the fans in attendance at Madison Square Garden.
FanDuel sportsbook told Covers that the Knicks got to as long as +3000 in live moneyline odds, giving them an implied 3.2% chance of winning the game. BetMGM and DraftKings both confirmed the Knicks’ live moneyline odds reached as long as +2200, equaling a 4.4% implied chance.
Unfortunately for the sportsbook, bettors took those numbers.
A massive 86% of bets and 67% of live-betting money wagered at BetMGM was on the Knicks’ moneyline. An additional 76% of tickets and 75% of the handle were also on the Knicks to cover the live spread, which varied throughout the matchup.
BetMGM also outlined how the Knicks’ moneyline odds evolved during the game. They entered at -130, went up to +375 after the first quarter and +1400 at halftime, and were +800 going into the fourth quarter.
The Game 4 comeback
The Spurs’ epic collapse marked the second time in this series that they literally threw a game away.
In Game 2, with the score tied and less than 10 seconds on the clock, Victor Wembanyama tossed a pass to Stephon Castle in transition just as the latter turned his back to hustle downcourt. The ball ricocheted off of Castle’s back into the waiting hands of Jalen Brunson, who was fouled and made the game-winning free-throw. Victor Wembanyama missed a shot to win at the buzzer.
The Spurs could have almost assuredly prevented a loss in regulation in Game 4 on Wednesday, had De’Aaron Fox held his nerve.
The 10-year NBA veteran found himself ahead of the pack to collect a loose ball on the Knicks’ side of the court with less than 15 seconds remaining and his team up one, but rather than bleed the clock and wait to get fouled, he attempted — and missed — a layup.
"I just thought I'd be able to outrun [OG Anunoby]."
De'Aaron Fox explains his late game shot that was blocked by OG Anunoby.
The Knicks rebounded the ball, and a few seconds of game time later, Anunoby put in the decisive shot to put his team one game away from a championship.
NBA Finals betting outlook
NBA teams up 3-1 in the Finals are 37-1 across all of NBA history. The only loss occurred in 2016, when the 73-9 Golden State Warriors lost three straight to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
From a broader view across all 303 best-of-seven series that stood 3-1 at one point, only 15 (5%) teams recovered from the deficit.
FanDuel Sportsbooks isn’t completely crossing out the possibility for the Spurs, although they think it’s unlikely. Their +385 NBA Finals oddsgives them a 20.6% implied chance of winning the Finals to the Knicks’ -500 (83.3%).
The series will return to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday, where the Spurs are -5.5 favorites. The Knicks won Games 1 and 2 on the road as +4.5 and +6.5 underdogs, respectively.
For six straight quarters, the Knicks' defense had been a hot mess.
Throughout Game 3, the Spurs were getting deep in the paint at will — 40 of their 84 shots came at, or within five feet, of the rim, including some spectacular Victor Wembanyama alley-oops. After posting a 104.1 offensive rating in a Game 2 loss, the Spurs picked apart the Knicks' defense to the tune of a 119.1 offensive rating in Game 3.
That turned out just to be the appetizer. The Knicks' defense was even worse in the first half against a Spurs team that could not seem to miss, allowing a 161.4 offensive rating to a San Antonio squad up 27 at halftime. Knicks' rotations were late, if they happened at all, and their transition defense felt non-existent.
Then, in the third quarter of Game 4, the Knicks completely flipped the script.
The entire historic 29-point comeback — including the iconic tip-in game-winner by OG Anunoby — does not happen without New York first stringing together stops. New York put together good defensive possession after good possession, following six quarters of failing to do exactly that.
New York held the Spurs to just 30 second-half points on 8-of-39 shooting, 3-of-17 from 3-point range and forced nine turnovers.
"Really, we didn't change much. We basically kept the same game plan," Knicks coach Mike Brown said. "But defensively, we just did it harder for longer stretches, and we were really in tune to what we were supposed to be doing. Our level of physicality increased without sending them to the free-throw line, as well, which is huge." "Probably just our contests were better. Just like 1% better," Anunoby said. "Just a little bit better. Getting out faster and making sure every shot is contested and then finish possessions with rebounds and then running out, moving the ball, taking good shots, shooting open shots, not hesitating."
The Spurs more than helped contribute to their own demise. A team that had spent six quarters making a point of getting downhill met some resistance and just stopped, falling in love with the 3-pointer and pull-up jumpers — San Antonio scored just four points in the paint in the second half.
"The biggest thing was, I told the guys, we can play better," Brown said. "Right now we are letting the ball get to the paint and we've got to do a better job of keeping the ball out of the paint."
The Spurs shot 0-of-5 in the paint in the third, and while they tried to turn that around after the momentum shifted, they still shot just 2-of-9 in the paint in the fourth quarter.
Anunoby on Fox
One of the biggest changes Brown made in the clutch was to put his best perimeter defender, Anunoby, on De'Aaron Fox.
Fox is the veteran leader of the Spurs and the floor general, the guy supposed to settle the Spurs down and make smart plays when things are starting to go wrong. The steady hand. The coach on the court.
Instead, when the game got tight, for reasons nobody can explain, the Spurs kept running Fox isolations against Anunoby or pick-and-rolls where Anunoby would fight through the screen, which were consistently a disaster. I got a text from a scout watching at home during this stretch that was literally "STOP PLAYING THROUGH FOX WHEN OG IS GUARDING HIM!" Everyone saw the problem, but Fox and Spurs coach Mitch Johnson just kept going back to it. There were multiple examples of Fox and Wembanyama miscommunicating on multiple pick-and-rolls under Anunoby's pressure. At one point, with 2:00 left in the game, it led to a Josh Hart breakaway and a blown layup that felt like it could be the Knicks' story of the night. With 37 seconds left, Fox just isolated on Anunoby and missed a midrange jumper, but got bailed out because Stephon Castle made a great play to get the offensive rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt.
Then came the defensive play nobody will forget.
Jalen Brunson missed a jumper with 16 seconds left that led to a scramble for the rebound, where the ball was tipped out into the backcourt. Fox chased it down and then, inexplicably, decided he could beat Anunoby to the basket and went for the layup rather than dribbling it out and forcing the Knicks to foul him (Fox is a 90% free throw shooter for the series). Anunoby won the battle at the rim with an epic block, keeping it a one-point game, and giving the Knicks a chance.
Just before his game-winning putback to complete the Knicks' NBA Finals-record 29-point comeback... OG Anunoby delivered a CLUTCH block on the other end.
Anunoby is not likely to win Finals MVP, and nobody should have an issue if it goes to Jalen Brunson, but Anunoby's defensive contributions, on top of scoring 33 in Game 4, should have him in the conversation.
His key role in turning around the Knicks defense in the second half is why New York is one win away from its first title since 1973.
Iman Shumpert had postgame commitments after the Knicks’ wild Game 4 win.
He decided to make other plans.
The former Knicks guard bailed on an ESPN podcast appearance Wednesday night so he could join the celebration outside Madison Square Garden after the Knicks’ dramatic NBA Finals comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Shumpert was set to appear on “The Hoop Collective” podcast but said he instead was heading to Seventh Avenue with J.R. Smith to celebrate with the fans outside MSG.
And he did exactly that.
Video posted to social media showed Shumpert outside MSG in the middle of a swarm of fired-up Knicks fans, smiling, high-fiving and soaking in the scene as the Garden celebration spilled into the street.
Ex-Knick Iman Shumpert (21) along with John Starks (l.), Ben Stiller (second from r.), Stephon Marbury (third from r.) and others celebrate during the Knicks’ Game 4 win over the Spurs on June 10, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
Shumpert did not appear to be in any rush to get back to work as he held up five fingers and said “Knicks in five.”
Instead, the 2011 first-round pick leaned into the moment, greeting fans and partying with the same crowd that embraced him during his time in New York.
The scene came after the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to beat the Spurs, 107-106, and take a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Iman Shumpert was supposed to do a podcast after the Spurs vs Knicks game but chose to turn up with the fans & JR Smith on 7th avenue pic.twitter.com/7fUrgJn2TK
That was more than enough to turn Seventh Avenue into a full-blown Knicks party.
For Shumpert, it was also a reminder of the bond he still has with the city.
He played parts of four seasons with the Knicks after they selected him with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, becoming a fan favorite for his defense, energy and unmistakable style.
He later won a championship with the Cavaliers in 2016, alongside Smith, but New York has never quite let him go.
It was a fitting scene on a night when seemingly every Knicks fan in the city wanted to be part of the moment.
The Knicks now head to San Antonio for Game 5 with a chance to win their first NBA title since 1973.
After the Knicks’ stunning 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals Wednesday night, Warriors star Draymond Green sat with Brunson on “Inside the NBA” and apologized for the criticism he’s given him leading up to the Finals.
“I apologize. I will say it to your face… I’m sorry,” Green said on “Inside the NBA” after the game. “Then, I will say it when you go and get your ring: I apologize.”
Jalen Brunson couldn’t give a damn what Draymond Green is apologizing about. Jalen knows he’s a clown pic.twitter.com/NUCAEO8RXq
But with slides on and a microphone in hand, Brunson sat stoically with the studio show’s crew after his 36-point masterpiece, clearly not giving much attention to Green’s apology.
“I appreciate that (Green’s apology),” Brunson said.
Green, a four-time champion and All-Star with the Warriors, has been critical of the Knicks and Brunson throughout their playoff run, saying the team’s path to the Finals was easy and that Brunson isn’t capable of being the top player on a championship team.
“And I double down on this. Just like Becky Hammon said, prove me wrong,” Green said on the “Draymond Green Show” on May 31. “Prove me wrong, double down, absolutely double down. Getting out of the East has never been a surefire way at a championship
“What are y’all talking about? You get out of the East cause you’re supposed to get out of the East. It’s the f–king East, of course, you’re supposed to get out of the East. That just don’t mean you win a championship because you get out of the East. It’s the f–king East.”
Green was referencing comments made by Hammon, the current Las Vegas Aces head coach and former Spurs assistant, where she said in 2023 that Brunson was “too small” to be a “1A” player and that he couldn’t lead the Knicks to a championship.
“I speak from experience,” Hammon said in an X video on May 26. “Allen Iverson got MVP, and he lost in the Finals. I think the two best teams are in the West, but I’m up for being proven wrong.”
“That’s the other thing, I think Jalen Brunson’s a hell of a player, a hell of a player. I’m speaking historically on the NBA with what I said. I don’t know why everybody’s so stuck on that. I said it two years ago.”
Jalen Brunson stoically reacted to Draymond Green’s apology after saying he couldn’t win a title. Brunson is just one win away from his first championship. NBAE via Getty Images
Brunson, who’s averaged 24 or more points per game each of his four years with the Knicks, hasn’t let the critiques get to him.
After scoring 36 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, Brunson and the Knicks are just a win away from their first title since 1973.
The Knicks can close it out Saturday in Game 5 at 8:30 p.m. Eastern.
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.
And it’s back to the road.
Following an improbable and downright magical Game 4 win at Madison Square Garden, Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and the New York Knicks are set to return to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs’ Frost Bank Center for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Saturday, June 13.
If you’d like to be there, last-minute tickets for the game that could theoretically clinch the Knicks’ first title since 1973 (!) are still available.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on Game 5 seats was $1,764 including fees on SeatGeek.
For those hoping to get closer to the action, 100-level seats start at $4,494 including fees.
Make sure to use promo code NYPOST10 for $10 off purchases over $250 at checkout (Editor’s Note: this discount is only valid for users’ first purchase on SeatGeek).
While expensive, tickets are still much cheaper than what they cost for games at MSG.
Based on our findings, last-minute seats for those contests began at $4,585 and $3,383 including fees on game day.
On a travel level, flights, hotels and AirBnBs are still available in the San Antonio area.
That being said, many fans may already be a step ahead of you.
Fora, the modern travel agency, recently reported that“bookings to San Antonio for Friday, June 12th, were up 246% year-over-year. During the finals period in San Antonio (June 3-6, 12-14 and 18-20), the average daily room rate is up 984% YoY.”
We recommend comparing prices for airfare on Booking.com, which has round-trip tickets going for as low as $1,335 on American Airlines.
Airbnb rooms with near five-star reviews in San Antonio can be snagged for $131 a night.
In the event you don’t have a calculator on hand, a ticket ($1,764), airfare ($1,335) and room ($263 for two nights) will run you roughly $3,362.
Pricey, yes. But how many times in your life will you get an opportunity to see the Knicks win the NBA Finals live?
We’ll see you in the Alamo City.
What do tickets cost for Spurs NBA Finals games in San Antonio?
All Spurs playoff home game dates at the Frost Bank Center and the cheapest tickets available are listed here:
San Antonio Spurs home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 5 Saturday, June 13 7:30 p.m.
$1,764(including fees)
Game 7 Friday, June 197:30 p.m. (if necessary)
$4,166(including fees)
What do tickets cost for Knicks NBA Finals games at MSG?
A complete calendar, including all announced Knicks NBA Finals home game dates and the best prices on tickets can be found below.
New York Knicks NBA Finals home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 6 Tuesday, June 16 (if necessary)
$12,210(including fees)
How can I watch the Knicks and Spurs in the NBA Finals on TV?
Fans hoping to catch Mike Brown’s ballers on the tube can watch all NBA Finals games on ABC and ESPN.
Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.
If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.
Huge concerts at MSG in 2026
Sticking around NYC and want to catch a show or three once the season ends?
MSG has you covered.
The legendary venue has booked a number of exciting acts to entertain audiences all summer long.
Here are just five of our favorites you won’t want to miss live.
• Bon Jovi (July 7-9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 26)
• Earth, Wind, and Fire with Lionel Richie (July 11)
• Phish (July 22, 24, 25, 27, 29)
• RUSH (July 28, 30, Aug. 1, 3)
• J. Cole (Aug. 2, 4)
Want to see who else is Big Apple-bound? Check out this list of all the upcoming events at Madison Square Garden to find the show for you.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
A second video shows just exactly what Knicks fans were pelting Victor Wembanyama with.
An initial video that emerged Wednesday night that showed the Spurs star getting hit by an unknown object, but a new video seemingly confirmed it was eggs flying around Wembanyama’s head as he was arriving at the team hotel hotel, the Ritz-Carlton.
Security guards grabbed Wembanyama and quickly escorted him inside the hotel as fans shouted “Wemby” in angry fashion.
Early Thursday morning, fans took to X to voice their displeasure with the situation.
“As a Knick fan, I absolutely hate this. I don’t like what Wemby is doing on the court. It pisses me off. But game is settled between the lines. Never take sports anger outside the arena. Whether it is fans or players, win and lose with class folks. Don’t be a-holes,” X user @BrettErmilio posted.
“Man at the end of the day, it’s just basketball. Don’t ever dehumanize players,” X user @LakersPixie also posted.
Victor Wembanyama celebrates a basket against the New York Knicks during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals Wednesday night. AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
It’s not the first instance of violence and security concerns surrounding Knick fans during the NBA Finals.
Following the Game 2 watch party outside Madison Square Garden, 26 people were detained.
After the Game 3 watch party at Bryant Park, 21 more were taken into custody, and five officers were even injured after fans threw objects at them.
The Frenchman — aside from being the Spurs biggest star — is public enemy No. 1 in New York City after he wasn’t called for a flagrant foul after shoving Jalen Brunson to the ground in Game 3.
Wembanyama still finished Game 4 with 24 points and 13 rebounds, but missed key free throws late to keep the Knicks in the game.
With their backs against the wall, the Spurs look to avoid elimination in Saturday’s Game 5 as the series shifts back to San Antonio.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in front of Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during a 118-116 Los Angeles Lakers win over the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on November 05, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images). NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s a thought that keeps haunting me as I watch the NBA Finals this year.
What if former Dallas Maverick superstar Luka Doncic – currently Los Angeles Lakers – had the same guidance and preparation early on and before even entering the league that the San Antonio Spurs’ young superstar Victor Wembanyama did?
Would that have made his journey in the NBA easier and smoother, and perhaps helped him win a championship and an MVP award faster?
And could it have helped him gain the recognition many believe he deserves – but isn’t getting – from the media and talking heads?
Wemby came into the league so prepared and so comfortable with who he was that it almost shocked fans and media. How could he not care that people snickered because he brought a book to read before the All-Star game?
How is he able to quote philosophers, and insist on showing his emotions – unlike most other players his age?
Wemby is unapologetic about not trying to hide his emotions 💪❤️
Why has he not spent his whole life dunking on opponents rather than educating himself to be prepared to take on both the mental and physical challenge of being the best?
To some, this may come off as arrogance. And maybe to some extent it is, because he truly believes he can be the best, and he is confident in that and in himself – because he puts in the work. That is not very different from some of the best players to play the game of basketball. It actually sounds very similar. He came into the league, knowing who he was, who he wanted to be, and he never steered off that path.
Imagine if someone like Luka Doncic had come into the league as prepared and well-guided as Victor Wembanyama. His first seven years in the NBA may have looked very differently.
This is no slight to Luka Doncic at all, who has been known to trust people around him, but unfortunately has learned down the line that people are not always as good at their job as you would assume.
When Wemby entered the league, he came almost fully formed in how to take care of his extraordinary physique, how to work on specific movements like flexibility and balance for injury prevention and efficiency. He arrived having been guided, it seems, for years on how to take care of himself and his body’s needs, and he never seems to veer off that.
Mentally and intellectually, he has also made surprising, but intentional choices from the beginning. Staying at a Shaolin Temple in China for ten days last summer, studying Chan meditation, Shaolin Kung Fu, traditional Chinese medicine and more.
Wemby truly is one of one 👽@ramonashelburne details how 34 generations of ancient warrior training helped build Wemby this offseason: https://t.co/y46rZuJGWm
And arranging for a fans section in San Antonio, which he taught chants from Europe. Intentionality in everything he does.
And as someone who has followed, analyzed and written about Luka Doncic for years – and even tried to bridge cultural gaps between Americans and Europeans so many times – I can’t help but wonder:
Where would Luka Doncic be if he was as prepared and well-guided, in as good of a situation and had a roster slowly and steadily built around him during his early years in the NBA?
Intentionality in everything you do seems to be a marker of success. Luka Doncic is one of the best basketball players in the world – if you know me, you know I’ve pushed for him to win MVP, especially in 2024 – and in my opinion, he is the best player in the world when he is healthy.
But if you compare everything around that to Wemby’s approach, it’s already clear who comes out on top, despite Wemby only being in the league for a few years.
Wembanyama clearly had better guidance coming into the league. He clearly learned to take care of himself early on at another level, too. He was clearly supported and lifted by being surrounded by people who he could trust, who have been able to make certain he ended up in the best situation possible.
Luka Doncic had none of that early on, it seems.
I know what you’re thinking right now. Doncic was drafted by an organization that didn’t put him in a similar development situation or roster construction effort as Wemby. And I agree with you. That is part of the point. On multiple levels Luka Doncic was not set up for success in the same way Wemby has been and still is.
And that is the point.
But despite lacking in all of this, Doncic still made it to where he is right now – and that’s pretty spectacular. Who knows if he still has a chance to win the MVP award and get a ring – he should and he deserves it – but he didn’t have much of the outside help that others did.
And because of this, Wembanyama may win MVP before Luka Doncic.
The absurdity of that sentence drives me nuts. When an acquaintance and fellow Danish journalist two years ago asked who would win it first, Luka or Wemby, I was perplexed. Luka was a superstar, among the best ever, Wemby was a rookie.
But the reality is that Wemby was in the top three nominees for MVP this year, and Luka was not. He is leading a team in the Finals right now, and Luka is not.
The absurdity of that situation after what Luka has done in Dallas with so little, and what he did to lead the Mavs to the Finals in 2024 haunts me. Many of us, I bet.
But the world is full of absurdity, just look around. Sometimes we just have to laugh, because what else can we do?
The fact remains, however. If Luka Doncic had had what Victor Wembanyama has, he would probably have reached the top already. Instead, he keeps fighting the same fight he has for five years in a cycle that just seems to repeat itself.
Intentionality. Maybe that’s the cure against absurdity. It may be worth a shot.
After Victor Wembanyama, the league will never be the same. The way he came into the league, almost fully ready and prepared to take care of his body and knowing exactly what he wanted, will set a precedent for future stars. And that’s a good thing for all of us.
As Gotham’s team of the moment rallied to a nailbiting 107-106 Game 4 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the last 1.2 seconds Wednesday night, a watch party haunted an unusual — if not ghoulish — locale: Sparrow Contemporary Funeral Home in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
The gathering drew about 75 Knicks fans-turned-funeral-home-guests, who savored the home team’s shocking recovery from a 29-point deficit within the parlor’s two service rooms, each space featuring a large projector screen, ample seating, and a spread of wine, beer, soda, chips and some appropriately orange and blue snacks.
Perhaps Knicks fans from the great beyond even joined them in spirit?
Knicks fans settle into one of the serene viewing rooms at Sparrow Contemporary Funeral Home for Wednesday night’s game. stefano Giovannini for NY Post
Sparrow owner Erica Hill told The Post that she’d initially been shocked by the “micro-viral” response to her initial Instagram posts promoting the party — one featuring a Knicks logo and cheeky overlay text proclaiming, “We know a thing or two about loss.”
That said, Hill, who founded the boutique spot in November 2021, has never viewed her business as a site solely for the morose, having hosted book launches, meditative experiences, and even comedy shows in the open-concept space.
Sparrow owner Erica Hill (left) welcomed death doula Daphne McWilliams to the party. stefano Giovannini for NY PostAbout 75 enthusiastic Knicks devotees packed the viewing rooms at Sparrow. stefano Giovannini for NY Post
At the watch party, while the volume was more respectful than an unruly bar level, it was still a lively group — and why not?
“My whole thing is, why can’t a funeral home be more than a ‘death space?’” said Hill, who intentionally designed Sparrow with light-colored walls, contemporary artwork, and skylights to go against the dark, gloomy funeral home archetype. “Why can’t it be a community space, where [people] come together to do many things?”
It wasn’t the only unexpected venue with a pop-up party, either.
The mosque at the Islamic Center of New York City in the West Village expected about 100 fans for its own gathering Wednesday night. And Jersey City’s Liberty Science Center welcomed revelers to a raucous Game 4 “After Dark” bash inside the soaring, 89-foot dome at Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, with plans for another this Saturday for what Knicks fans hope is the championship finale, with Jalen Brunson and crew now leading the series 3-1.
Liberty Science Center’s massive Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium also hosted a Game 4 gathering. Juan A. Cardenas for Liberty Science CenterKnicks fans celebrated Wednesday’s victory in Jersey City. Juan A. Cardenas for Liberty Science Center
Funeral guru Hill has cheered in the Knicks’ journey through the team’s run, but she was really inspired to host her shindig after seeing the recent video of the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony “KAT” Towns in which the NBA standout spoke about feeling his late mother’s presence on the court during Game 1 of the finals.
In the viral interview, Towns — who lost his mother Jacqueline Cruz in April 2020 due to complications from COVID-19 — said that he felt “a calm and a peace” while playing, having felt like he was “seeing her in the stands.”
A deeply moved Hill lost her own father, a lifelong basketball fan and player, a few years prior.
“We live in a society that doesn’t like to talk about people who have died, our grief or our sadness,” said Hill. “And then you see this New York Knicks [player] talk about his mom and how clearly he felt her presence — I just thought that was so beautiful [and] to honor him, we should have our own watch party here.”
The funeral home’s unique setting was more sedate but still drew a passionate audience. stefano Giovannini for NY Post
Knicks cap-wearing attendee Will Borowski, a 28-year-old grave digger and monument restoration worker at Brooklyn’s historic Green-Wood Cemetery, first learned about it through a friend, death doula Gabrielle Gatto, who attends regular professional meet-ups at Sparrow.
Borowski confessed that he thought the idea seemed more than a little “out there.”
But, ever-willing to try new things, the native Brooklynite and avid Knicks fan tagged along — and almost immediately felt that it was “everywhere [he] needed to be.”
“Being a grave digger, it starts out, like, ‘Oh, my God, there’s this family grieving their loved one,’” Borowski told The Post. “After a while, it all blends into one job that I have to do … I think being here puts that into perspective. Everyone’s here because they grew up knowing somebody who was a big fan of sports, and that person touched them in a way that left a lasting impact.”
Will Borowski and his friend, death doula Gabrielle Gatto, paid tribute to late loved ones on the “Who Are You Watching For?” board. stefano Giovannini for NY Post
Instead of a funeral guest sign-in book, though, a Knicks logo-emblazoned easel board titled “Who Are You Watching For?” awaited party-goers, who added the names of departed loved ones who were dedicated sports fans.
For Borowski, that person was his uncle Kevin.
“He’s always someone I’ve sort of kept in my heart since he passed — we would always B.S. about why teams were doing well, why they weren’t doing well,” said Borowski. “He was the first person I thought of when I walked in here.”
For 32-year-old Gatto, who also works at Green-Wood, attending the event was a no-brainer.
On the board, she honored her uncle Vinnie, a firefighter and captain of Bed-Stuy’s FDNY Engine Company 235 who died of 9/11-related cancer.
“He would have loved this because he really lived life to the fullest,” Gatto told The Post. “His number one thing was to show up and be weird and see who falls in love with you because of that, and I think that’s what’s happening right here, right now.”
stefano Giovannini for NY Post
Sara Donnellan, a 31-year-old writer, checked out the party with her husband, Drummond Dominguez-Kincannon, after a friend initially shared the funeral home’s Instagram post with her as a joke. Having attended one of the home’s comedy shows in years past, she remembered being “impressed” by the warm environment and the unique way that Sparrow aimed to demystify death.
Dominguez-Kincannon, on the other hand, was a bit more hesitant when she asked whether he wanted to go.
“I was, like, ‘I don’t know, do I?'” Dominguez-Kincannon told The Post.
However, after his wife explained Sparrow’s mission, he quickly changed his tune.
“I’d thought, OK, that’s pretty cool,” Dominguez-Kincannon recalled. “I won’t be walking into a gloomy space … When I walked in, I was, like, all right — vibes seem high.”
More than anything, attending a Knicks party at a funeral home made the couple reflect on how grief and joy can often walk hand-in-hand — and at their best, bring the community together.
“I like the idea of coming into spaces like this, not just for a loved one passing,” said Sara. “Just recognizing that it doesn’t have to be this scary space — it can be just like any other place in the community that opens up doors.”
Jun 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; A general view of the court and videoboard after game four of the 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Ron Swoboda. Stephane Matteau. Graeme Lloyd. David Tyree. OG Anunoby.
The pantheon of players who’ve come to New York and stamped themselves in playoff lore is short and sweet and celebrated. Anunoby’s Right Hand of God tip-follow with 1.2 seconds left completed a 30-point turnaround, the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, lifting the New York Knickerbockers to within one win of their first title since 1973. Diving catches in the World Series, a double-overtime series-winning goal, an improbable stretch of dominance, a freak play you couldn’t repeat if you tried 100 times . . . and OG may have topped them all.
Without the bitter life wouldn’t taste so sweet, but for the first 40 minutes the Knicks played like their pregame meal was grapefruit rinds. San Antonio built the biggest halftime lead for any Finals road team — 27. With just over nine minutes left, the Spurs were up 20. In an irony worthy of O. Henry, it happened despite Mike Brown’s team, having raised the issue of the free throw disparity after Game 3, quadrupling the visitor’s attempts by the break (23-6).
It was the 3-point shooting, natch, creating the division between the sides, with the visitors +30 from deep by halftime. For much of the first half, I thought, “All right, they can’t keep making 60% of their 3s,” which gave way to “They really gonna make 60% of their 3s?!” Understand: for far longer than is decent, the Spurs were on pace to score 180 points. On offense, they couldn’t miss. On defense, they made Jalen Brunson endure a triathlon just getting the ball past midcourt. Karl-Anthony Towns took two shots the whole first half, the victim of an absurd coach’s challenge in the game’s first minute. The Spur reserves outscored the Knicks’ 22-2. Pick your poison, it all pointed to the same end. Not that some of us lost sight of the big picture.
Madison Square Garden belongs to the people, and we the people all, eventually, belong to the dead. There are ghosts at 33rd and 8th. Ghosts that don’t take kindly to 22-year-olds throwing cheap shots, reveling in their protected status at the league office and mouthing off about being in someone’s head when they’re down in the series and there’s most of the game left to contest. The Knicks needed to look within. They needed the crowd. But they also needed the ghosts.
When San Antonio’s lead was at its peak, 29, Victor Wembanyama — bet your bottom dollar the league overturns it — was whistled for a flagrant foul for swinging a ‘bow into KAT’s face. Obviously the ghost of J.R. Smith briefly possessed Wemby, making him go one step too far with the aggression while making amends for the 2013 elbow on Jason Terry, the one that sent a promising oasis of a season down the tubes (Mixed metaphors, I know. I’m a goof). The rest of the way it was 55-25 Knicks.
The last time the Knicks came this close to a title, a small sparkplug guard who played harder than anybody, whose superpower was his effort, couldn’t hit a basket in Game 7. The ghost of John Starks was with Jose Alvarado last night. The Puerto Rican demigod played only three minutes in the first half but 12 in the second, giving the Knicks a critical second ball-handler to give Brunson a chance to be Brunson. 10 of those minutes were in the fourth, when he hit all three of his shots for eight points, including an essential bomb with three minutes left to make it a four-point game.
By his lofty standards, Patrick Ewing struggled in the one Finals he played in. The scoring touch just wasn’t there. So what did The Big Fella do? Just haul in a Finals-leading 12.4 rebounds while setting the record for blocks in a Finals. The ghost of Aloysius was with Towns last night. KAT had a team-high 10 rebounds and broke his fourth-quarter scoreless streak. Most importantly, KAT was there. Playing. Present. Even when he wasn’t looking to shoot, the threat Towns presents kept Wembanyama out guarding him away from the basket, opening up some precious real estate for the other Knicks to do their thing.
Early on, my nightmare scenario was coming true: with KAT in early foul trouble and Mitch Hack-a-Mitch’d, Mike Brown had to turn to Ariel Hukporti and Jeremy Sochan for first-half minutes at the 5. I like them both, but no. After only eight first-half minutes, Towns staying out of foul trouble the rest of the way let him play 18 in the second. He wasn’t much of a scorer, but he grabbed seven rebounds post-intermission and dished a couple of dimes. He did whatever they needed from him to win this game. All the players did.
And the coach, and while some people continue to debate the relative worth of Mike Brown, I say any coach who in the biggest spot looks more Red than Riley is worth his weight in gold. The ghost of Pat the Rat’s decision to play Starks ad nauseum when he couldn’t make a jumper, with Rolando Blackman on the bench, has haunted any Knick fan who lived through that Game 7 in Houston; Riley himself has said it’s his biggest coaching regret.
When the 1970 Knicks lost Willis Reed early in Game 5 of the Finals, Cazzie Russell and Dave Stallworth stepped up as the entire Knick squad pulled in one direction, ultimately toppling Wilt Chamberlain. There’s a difference between a total team and a top-heavy group.
Brown played 12 Knicks in the first half. Tom Thibodeau would have shrunk the rotation to four. But in order to best the Spurs’ modern-day Prometheus, it was going to take a true team effort, every last ounce every last one of them could muster. And they did. And they did it. The Spurs made 28 shots in the first half. Second half? Eight. New York closed on a 32-11 run, their eleventy billionth huge run of this postseason.
The Knicks winning the championship was never going to happen in a dull, mundane fashion. It was always gonna take something like the greatest Finals comeback in league history. And you know? There was literally no point last night when I thought they were done. That is a quality unique to this Knick of any I’ve ever watched. I was frustrated and confused as they fell behind. I was sick of all the (understandable) gushing over San Antonio’s play the first two or three or three-plus quarters. I was never without hope. I was never even without certainty.
One of the oldest ghosts at Madison Square Garden has been the fake comeback, for years the symbol of everything we loved and lashed out at with this team. The fake comeback is the epitome of team-sponsored torture — they let you down, only to build you up, only to let you down, like you *knew* they always would.
These Knicks? They never let you down. Can you believe it? We’ve waited 53 years to say that.
Quoth Mike Breen after OG’s tip-in: “It’s good! It’s good! It’s good!” It is. It really, truly is. Last night wasn’t just a comeback for the ages. It was catharsis, the breaking of one identity and the premiere of a new one. Like the 2004 Red Sox. Or a hermit crab. Or Carrie, after the prom. The “LOL Knicks,” the “Knicks for clicks,” the “not a model of intelligent management” Knicks? They’re on life support. They could be, should be the new ghosts, and sooner than later. The old Knicks are dead.
COVERS INTEL:
(@wstgoat7) 
