SAN ANTONIO — OG Anunoby emerged as the standout player, but a last-second tip-in attempt by Jalen Brunson didn’t connect, closing the door on a highly anticipated comeback. The Knicks managed an impressive Game 4 win, overcoming a staggering 29-point deficit, with numerous pivotal moments and lesser-known contributors stepping up along the way.
This piece revisits the night’s excitement:
KAT’s Crucial Deflection
The atmosphere was electric at The Garden as Anunoby propelled the Knicks one step closer to breaking a 53-year championship drought. However, the Spurs still had a glimmer of hope when they inbounded the ball with just 1.2 seconds remaining. Stephon Castle found an opening for what could have been an alley-oop, but Dylan Harper’s pass got deflected by Karl-Anthony Towns, leaving Castle unable to deliver the shot. Towns, despite early foul troubles, delivered a solid performance in the last half of the game, finishing with seven points, seven boards, and two assists.
Garden’s Generosity
The Knicks got lucky with the rim on a couple of critical attempts. First, Anunoby’s step-back three-pointer clanged off the front of the rim and backboard before dropping in, slicing the lead to 15 points as the third quarter neared its end. Later, with 9:15 on the clock, and the Knicks ahead by 20, Jose Alvarado’s three rattled out, touched the glass, and fell in.
A Backup’s Moment
Knicks coach Mike Brown turned to Alvarado, who shined in his opportunity. Alvarado rattled off five quick points in the fourth quarter with a driving layup followed up by a three-pointer, pushing the Knicks to a four-point lead with a little over three minutes left. These buckets came right after the Spurs had scored, keeping the Knicks energized.
The Critical Miss
De’Aaron Fox made a questionable decision, choosing to rush to the basket instead of playing for a foul. With the Spurs ahead by one, a scramble ensued after a Brunson misstep. About 12 seconds remained when Fox, in the backcourt, attempted a layup but was blocked by Anunoby. The Spurs struggled offensively in the second half, hitting just 25% from the field while turning the ball over four times.
Coach’s Regrets
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson likely has some regrets about his strategy. One misstep was keeping Victor Wembanyama on the court for almost the entire second half. The towering Frenchman visibly wore down, missing 11 of his final 14 attempts and crucial free throws late in the game. Also questionable was his decision not to guard the inbounder on the Knicks’ last possession, allowing Anunoby to find Brunson for an uncontested game-winning tip-in.
Successful Challenges
In a crucial fourth-quarter moment, the Spurs tried to get the ball to Wembanyama, but he was stripped. The initial call awarded possession to San Antonio. However, Coach Mike Brown, influenced by assistant Jordan Brink’s advice, challenged the ruling successfully, turning the tide in favor of the Knicks.
