After losing the first two games of the NBA Finals at home, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden to cut the series lead to 2-1.
On Wednesday, the Spurs aimed to even the series in Game 4. They quickly jumped ahead by 10 and stretched the lead to 29 in the second half.
The Knicks, however, rallied, pulling off a 107-106 victory on OG Anunoby’s tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining. The rally was the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history.
After the game, many attributed the outcome to Spurs’ veteran De’Aaron Fox.
Patrick Beverley Blasts De’Aaron Fox After Spurs Game 4 Collapse
The Spurs rebuilt a 20-point lead with 9:33 left, but the Knicks cut it, ultimately going ahead 105-104 on a Jalen Brunson three and floater. Brunson scored 36 points.
After two stops, Stephon Castle made two free throws to put the Spurs up 106-105. They forced another stop with 11.1 seconds left. Fox drove but was blocked by Anunoby.
The Spurs used their foul to give, then Brunson missed a deep three. Anunoby quickly tipped in the miss, and San Antonio failed to get a final shot, letting the Knicks lead 3-1.
After the game, many blamed Fox for his late-game decision to go for a contested layup rather than waiting to be fouled by the Knicks, which could have drained more time off the clock and possibly extended the Spurs’ lead at the free-throw line. The debate centered on whether Fox should have focused on running the clock and getting fouled or attacking for a potential three-point advantage.
Former player Brandon Jennings said he would not blame the loss on Fox, but former Lakers guard Patrick Beverly disagreed.
“Don’t u start that,” Beverley replied. “He was God awful. Very selfish down the stretch. Give him that JR Smith treatment.”
Don’t u start that. He was God awful. Very selfish down the stretch. Give him that JR Smith treatment https://t.co/w9BIAa8iHI
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) June 11, 2026
Fox had 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, but shot 6-for-16 and had four turnovers. Additionally, he missed several late jumpers that could have kept the Knicks at bay.
Fox’s decision was not the Spurs’ only issue on Wednesday.
For example, while Victor Wembanyama contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds, he was just nine-of-25 from the field. Notably, Devin Vassell was the only Spurs starter to shoot over 50%, scoring 18 points on six-of-nine shooting. Rookie Dylan Harper stood out as the most efficient Spur, tallying 21 points on eight-of-12 shooting.
The Spurs will have to get their problems corrected before taking on the Knicks on Saturday night. Game 5 is set to tip off from San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET, with the Knicks hoping to close out the series and the Spurs fighting to stay alive.
