The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, with Jalen Brunson leading all scorers with 36 points as New York completed a stunning 29-point comeback and moved one win away from its first championship since 1973.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
First Quarter
San Antonio came out in complete control and built a 41-22 lead after one quarter. The Spurs were sharp from the perimeter, moved the ball well, and consistently got to their preferred spots. New York struggled to contain dribble penetration and had trouble matching San Antonio’s pace early.
Second Quarter
The Spurs kept that advantage growing in the second, outscoring the Knicks 35-27 to take a 76-49 lead into halftime. At that point, San Antonio had put together one of its best offensive halves of the postseason, while New York looked out of rhythm on both ends. Madison Square Garden was watching a 27-point halftime deficit, and the path back looked narrow.
Third Quarter
The game shifted after the break. New York tightened up defensively and held San Antonio to just 14 points in the third quarter, trimming the deficit with a 26-14 period. That defensive response changed the tone of the night. The Knicks began forcing tougher shots, limiting second chances, and turning a runaway game into a manageable one entering the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
The comeback became real in the final 12 minutes. New York outscored San Antonio 32-16 in the fourth, with Brunson directing the offense and the Knicks executing with far more poise than they showed early. Every stop mattered, every possession tightened the margin, and by the closing minutes the Knicks had fully seized momentum. San Antonio, after scoring 76 points in the first half, managed only 30 across the second half and could not hold off New York’s late push.
Key Performers
Jalen Brunson, Knicks: Brunson was the game’s top performer, finishing with 36 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals. He set the tone for the second-half turnaround and delivered the shot-making and control New York needed when the game tightened.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks: Towns led New York with 10 rebounds and helped stabilize the interior during the comeback. His work on the glass was important in a one-point game, especially after San Antonio had the early edge in overall control.
Victor Wembanyama, Spurs: Wembanyama led San Antonio with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 blocks. He was productive throughout the night and gave the Spurs an interior presence on both ends, but New York’s pressure increased as the game moved deeper into the second half.
De’Aaron Fox, Spurs: Fox paced San Antonio’s playmaking with 7 assists and was part of the early offensive flow that helped the Spurs put together a huge first half. New York’s defensive adjustments made those driving lanes harder to find after halftime.
NerdSports Stat: After allowing 76 first-half points, the Knicks gave up only 30 in the second half, meaning New York cut San Antonio’s scoring by 60.5% after halftime and still won despite trailing by 27 at the break.
Game Analysis
This game turned on two major changes: New York’s defense and San Antonio’s fading efficiency. The Spurs finished with 106 points, but their split was dramatic. They shot well enough overall from 3-point range at 39.5% and made 17 threes, yet their offense stalled badly once the Knicks began contesting more cleanly and limiting easy actions in transition and early offense.
New York, meanwhile, was much more efficient with its chances. The Knicks shot 46.2% from the field and an excellent 46.9% from beyond the arc, making 15 of 32 from deep. That shot quality and accuracy allowed them to erase the early gap without needing overtime. Even though San Antonio had a slight edge in rebounds, 42-39, and assists, 24-23, New York’s execution in the final two quarters was simply better.
Brunson’s control stood out most. In a game that easily could have slipped away, he kept New York organized and productive. The Knicks also earned enough trips to the line to stay within reach before the comeback fully developed, finishing 20-for-28 on free throws. On the other side, San Antonio’s 41-point first quarter and 35-point second quarter suggested a comfortable road win, but the inability to maintain that offensive level became the story of the night.
For the Spurs, this loss will be especially difficult because they did many things well early. They attempted more shots, made more threes, and led for most of the game. But the final two quarters exposed how quickly momentum can shift in the Finals when half-court execution slips even slightly.
Closing Context
With the win, the Knicks now lead the NBA Finals 3-1 and are one victory away from the franchise’s first championship since 1973. New York also improved to 53-29 overall this season. San Antonio, now facing a 3-1 series deficit, will need a fast response in Game 5 to extend the Finals after letting a historic comeback get away at Madison Square Garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Jalen Brunson scored 36 points on 46.2% shooting.
After the win, New York sits 53-29 in the Eastern Conference.
Jalen Brunson was the standout performer with 36 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals.
