Anunoby's Tip-In with 1.2 Seconds Left Gives Knicks Historic Comeback Win

(Central News Agency, New York, 11th - Combined Foreign News) The New York Knicks achieved the largest comeback victory in NBA Finals history on Monday. Trailing by as many as 29 points, they mounted a furious rally, and OG Anunoby's crucial tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining sealed a 107-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, giving the Knicks a 3-1 series lead.

The Spurs had ended the Knicks' 13-game playoff winning streak and 46-day unbeaten run in Game 3 on the 8th, narrowing the Finals deficit to 1-2. In Game 4, the Spurs led comfortably until the final quarter and seemed poised to become the 8th team in NBA history to tie a series 2-2 after trailing 0-2, but they collapsed in the fourth quarter.

The Spurs exploded for 41 points in the first quarter, taking a 19-point lead and silencing the Knicks' home crowd. Star Victor Wembanyama scored 13 points in the quarter, while forward Devin Vassell was red-hot, making all three of his three-point attempts for 12 points.

The Spurs continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, extending their lead to a maximum of 29 points and taking a 76-49 advantage into halftime. The Spurs' 27-point halftime lead was the largest halftime lead by a road team in NBA Finals history.

The Spurs shot 59.6% from the field in the first half and made 14 of 26 three-pointers, the most three-pointers by a team in a half in NBA Finals history since the league began using text play-by-play in 1997.

However, the Knicks began their comeback in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 15 points and entering the fourth quarter trailing 75-90, keeping a glimmer of hope alive.

The third quarter also featured an incident where Wembanyama accidentally elbowed Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns in the chin, resulting in a Flagrant 1 foul. This brought Wembanyama's playoff flagrant foul point total to 3, just one point shy of the 4-point threshold that triggers an automatic one-game suspension.

With 2:21 remaining in the game, the Knicks had closed to 103-104. Jalen Brunson then made a layup to give the Knicks their first lead of the game.

In the final 30 seconds, the Spurs regained the lead on two free throws. Brunson attempted a long three-pointer for the win, but missed. However, teammate OG Anunoby crashed the boards for a tip-in, securing a 107-106 victory and completing the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

The previous record for the largest comeback in an NBA Finals game was 24 points, set by the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008.

In terms of player statistics, Knicks star Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 36 points and 7 assists. Anunoby added 33 points, and Towns contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. For the Spurs, five players scored in double figures, led by Wembanyama's 24 points and 13 rebounds.

The intensity of Game 4 of the Finals drew a star-studded crowd. While former U.S. President Donald Trump, who made a high-profile appearance at the previous game, was absent, the Hollywood star power was even greater. Attendees included pop superstar Taylor Swift, die-hard Knicks fan and director Spike Lee, comedy star Ben Stiller, and popular actor Timothée Chalamet.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals will be held on the evening of the 13th US time (morning of the 14th Taiwan time). The Knicks are one win away from their first championship since 1973, while the Spurs, with their backs against the wall, will fight to extend the series. (Editor: Cai Jiamin) 1150611