The New York Knicks produced one of the most remarkable comebacks of the season on Wednesday, rallying from 29 points down in the second half to edge the San Antonio Spurs by a single point and take a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals series.
4 Key Highlights
- Knicks rallied from 29 points down to win Game 4.
- Brunson repeatedly targeted Wembanyama in crucial pick-and-roll actions.
- Anunoby scored seven three-pointers and the game-winning tip-in.
- New York took a commanding 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Brunson Leads Knicks' Stunning Comeback in Game 4
While several late-game moments proved decisive — including OG Anunoby's go-ahead tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining and Karl-Anthony Towns' crucial deflection on San Antonio's final inbounds pass — the defining theme of the comeback was New York's relentless targeting of Victor Wembanyama through Jalen Brunson-led pick-and-roll actions.
Knicks Unlock Formula Against Wembanyama
The strategy had largely struggled through the first three games of the series. Across those contests, possessions involving Brunson attacking off screens set by Wembanyama's defensive assignment generated just 0.73 points per chance.
Game 4 told a different story. The Knicks scored 34 points on 23 such possessions, averaging an impressive 1.48 points per opportunity. As New York erupted for 32 points over its final 18 possessions, the Brunson-Wembanyama matchup repeatedly tilted the game in the Knicks' favor.
Brunson consistently challenged the 7-foot-4 Spurs star, creating breakdowns in San Antonio's defense and opening opportunities for teammates. His crossover move in the third quarter led to one of Anunoby's seven three-pointers, while a clutch pull-up three over Wembanyama late in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to a single point.
Spurs' Defensive Adjustments Fail to Slow Knicks
San Antonio attempted multiple counters, frequently using pre-switches to prevent Wembanyama from being isolated against Brunson. However, the Knicks repeatedly found ways to force the matchup.
A key factor was the contribution of Jose Alvarado, who played alongside Brunson for the first time this postseason. The duo proved highly effective, helping New York outscore San Antonio by 21 points during their 12.1 minutes together on the floor. Alvarado repeatedly brought Wembanyama into screening actions, creating mismatches and generating open looks for teammates.
The strategy also benefited Anunoby, who continued his exceptional shooting form from the corners. The Knicks forward is now shooting 12-for-19 on corner three-pointers in the Finals and 24-for-45 from those areas throughout the playoffs.
Anunoby Delivers the Decisive Moment
The Brunson-Wembanyama battle ultimately played a direct role in the game-winning sequence. With 5.7 seconds remaining, the Spurs switched Wembanyama onto Brunson once again. San Antonio sent additional help toward the Knicks guard, leaving Anunoby unmarked.
Although Brunson's shot missed, Anunoby had a clear path to the offensive rebound and converted the decisive tip-in with 1.2 seconds left. With Wembanyama pulled away from the basket and smaller Spurs players left to contest the rebound, New York capitalized on the mismatch one final time.
After fueling the Knicks' historic comeback and putting them one win away from the championship, the Brunson-Wembanyama matchup is set to remain a focal point heading into Game 5 on Saturday.
