Going into game four, after the devastating loss last game, everyone knew this was a must win for the Knicks. If the Spurs were to win Game Four, not only would the series would be tied but it would be a bad position for the Knicks because Game Five would be back in San Antonio. Without a “home-court” advantage, it was very important for the Knicks to come into this game with hustle and grit.
Starting the game, it was clear the Spurs really wanted this win, and the Knicks weren’t delivering the way they should at the beginning of an important game. By the end of the first quarter, the Knicks were down by nineteen points, the Spurs having the largest first quarter lead in the NBA Finals. While it was still early in the game, I was starting to lose hope and was unsure if the Knicks would be able to come back.
Although the Knicks played a little better in the second quarter, the Spurs were still dominating them as they were up by 27 at the half; another record broken for the largest halftime lead by a road team. By this point, I honestly thought a miracle would have to happen seeing how terribly the Knicks were playing, and it didn’t help that the Spurs couldn’t miss a shot. Their shooting was so accurate that the Spurs also broke the NBA finals record for the most three-pointers made in a single half.
Entering the second half of the game, the Knicks needed to wake up and start playing how they had been playing in the past few games. In the first few minutes this didn’t happen, as the Spurs took the lead up to as much as 29. Then a switch finally flipped in the Knicks, and they went on a 20-6 run cutting the lead to 15 by the end of the 3rd quarter.
At this point hope was slowly starting to return, and I believed there was a possibility we could still win this game. The Knicks continued to rally in the 4th, going on another big run of 28-9. With thirty seconds left the Knicks were down by one and had possession of the ball. Jalen Brunson missed his shot and the Spurs ending up getting the ball, as they went to take a layup OG Anunoby game from behind and blocked the shot.
With four seconds left, Brunson went for the lead and missed his shot, again OG is the one to clutch up and tips the ball in to take the lead with a second left. The Spurs try and take a final shot in the second but fail, leaving the Knicks with the victory. This was the largest comeback in NBA history and will forever go down in history as one of the best rallies.
Heading into Game 5 everyone knew it was going to be difficult as the Spurs were coming back for vengeance and were determined after blowing such a big lead. Although the Knicks got off to a better start then the last game, the first half was the same story as always, Knicks trailing by five.
Coming into the fourth they were still down but now by seven. It was clear they needed to go on a run and that’s exactly what they did, outscoring the Spurs 17-4. The last minute was very close but in the end the Knicks came out on top.
After 53 years the drought is finally over and Knicks fans everywhere can now celebrate a long- awaited championship.
