NBA Finals Shock: Victor Wembanyama and Spurs Left Searching for Answers After Epic Collapse
NEW YORK — The New York Knicks rallied from a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, taking a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. San Antonio had controlled much of the first half, shooting efficiently, protecting the ball and setting an NBA Finals record with 14 3-pointers before halftime. But the Spurs’ offense collapsed after the break as New York tightened defensively and leaned on late shot-making and composure to complete the comeback.
OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds left in regulation sealed the win for the Knicks, though the Spurs had already lost control of the game by then. New York fans stayed long after the final buzzer to celebrate a dramatic victory that shifted the series heavily in the Knicks’ favor. For San Antonio, the loss was a painful reminder of how quickly momentum can disappear in a high-pressure playoff setting.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson called the defeat disappointing, saying the team had played well enough in the first half to win but failed to finish the job. He pointed to a drop in energy, execution and discipline after San Antonio built its large lead. The Spurs turned the ball over only twice in the first half, but they became much looser and less efficient as the game wore on.
The matchup increasingly turned into a battle of intangibles. San Antonio had success early by attacking downhill, moving the ball and generating open 3-point looks. Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox helped push the pace, while Victor Wembanyama used his size and presence to challenge New York’s interior players, helping get Karl-Anthony Towns into foul trouble and frustrating Mitchell Robinson.
However, the Spurs lost their edge in the second half. They began settling for difficult jumpers instead of getting to the rim, and New York adjusted to the physical play of Anunoby and the scoring versatility of Jalen Brunson. Stephon Castle could not repeat his strong Game 3 performance, and Wembanyama found himself crowded by the Knicks’ defense. San Antonio also struggled in clutch moments, missing free throws and committing turnovers as the lead slipped away.
Wembanyama said after the game that he could not fully explain the collapse, but acknowledged that execution broke down and that the Spurs were not as hungry in the second half. He described the loss as painful and said the team felt it had worked too hard to let a big lead vanish.
With the series now on the brink, the Spurs will return to San Antonio needing to regroup quickly and address what went wrong. Only one team in NBA history has won a series after falling behind 3-1, making the task daunting. Still, San Antonio believes it can learn from the setback and respond with better communication, accountability and focus in the next game.
