Knicks one win from NBA title with 3-1 lead over Spurs

The New York Knicks moved within one win of their first NBA championship since 1973 after taking a 3-1 lead over the San Antonio Spurs in the best-of-seven NBA Finals. Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday night in San Antonio, where the Spurs will host with their season on the line. New York’s advantage was built by a dramatic 107-106 win in Game 4 after erasing a 29-point deficit.

The series opened in Texas with the Knicks winning the first two games in San Antonio, 105-95 and 105-104. The Spurs responded by taking Game 3 in New York, 115-111, before the Knicks’ comeback in Game 4 swung the Finals firmly in New York’s favour. The comeback was described as the largest documented in an NBA Finals game since 2008.

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson has been central to New York’s run, scoring 30 points or more in three of the four games. He had 36 points and seven assists in Game 4 as the Knicks climbed out of the deep early hole and put themselves in position to close out the title.

Forward OG Anunoby provided the finishing touch in Game 4 with 33 points and a late tip-in that proved decisive. The result left the Spurs needing three consecutive wins to extend their wait for a title and avoid ending the season at home.

Spurs look for response at home

For San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama has produced at least 24 points in each game, but the Spurs have not been able to translate that output into a second win in the series. Wembanyama is shooting 43.5 percent from the field across the four games.

Despite the 3-1 deficit, the Spurs have pointed to how tight the series has been, with every game decided by narrow margins. The team’s task now is to force a Game 6 by protecting home court on Saturday night.

History adds pressure to the Game 5 stakes

Historically, rallying from 3-1 down to win an NBA title has been rare, with only the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers cited as completing that comeback. For the Knicks, that backdrop heightens the urgency to finish the job in Game 5 rather than allow the series to stretch deeper.

The next game will determine whether New York can end a 53-year title drought immediately or whether San Antonio can keep the Finals alive by sending the series back to New York for at least one more game.