The San Antonio Spurs entered halftime with the third-biggest lead in NBA Finals history, but blew Game 4 to the New York Knicks.
The San Antonio Spurs played one of the best halves in NBA history in the first half against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. They then followed that up with perhaps the worst half to ever be played, blowing their 27-point lead and losing, 107-106.
Thanks to red-hot shooting and careful offense, the Spurs jumped out to a 27-point lead. However, the Knicks jumped out in the third quarter, outscoring the Spurs 14-26, thanks to ice-cold shooting from San Antonio and Jalen Brunson taking control of the game.
In the fourth, the Knicks' barrage continued, with New York taking a one-point lead on a Brunson floater with 1:22 left, although Stephon Castle hit two clutch free throws to regain the lead. It wasn't enough, as OG Anunoby sealed the game on a putback layup with only 1.2 seconds left.
New York was very clearly the better team in the second half, and even with one game remaining, it seems safe to say that the Knicks were just the better team.
How Spurs Made NBA History
The Spurs, to their credit, were able to win the mental game early, slowing the Knicks down more than anyone expected. In the second minute of the game, Karl-Anthony Towns wrapped up Victor Wembanyama's arm, picking up his second foul of the game, limiting his impact.
Once Mitchell Robinson checked in to replace Towns, Wemby goaded him into a flagrant one foul, teasing him with an "I'm in your head" as they ran down the court. It seems like at halftime, the Knicks made a mindset adjustment.
The Knicks, meanwhile, enjoyed 36 points from Jalen Brunson and an excellent 31 points on 7-of-9 3-point shooting from Anunoby, on top of the game-winner. The Knicks' defense was stifling, causing nine Spurs' turnovers in the second half alone, after San Antonio only turned over the ball twice in the first half.
The Spurs were led by Wemby's 24 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks. For good measure, Dylan Harper added 21 points. While Wembanyama finished with a solid stat line, most of his damage came in the first half.
I suppose you could say the same about the rest of the roster.
While the Spurs are heading back to Texas with their tails tucked between their legs, not all faith is lost. Granted, they have given up the biggest blown lead in Finals history, but one team has come back from down 3-1 before. It's a long shot hope to hold onto, but it's all fans have.
