They Blew a 29-Point Lead on the NBA’s Biggest Stage. Now the Series Is One Win From Ending — But a Stunning Twist Has Everyone Asking the Same Question. How Did a Team on the Brink of a Championship Suddenly Become the Underdog? The Answer Has Fans, Analysts, and Even Former Players Completely Divided Ahead of a Game That Could Change Everything.
The 2026 NBA Finals have already delivered unforgettable moments, dramatic swings, and enough storylines to fuel basketball debates for years. Yet somehow, the biggest talking point heading into Game 5 isn’t simply that the New York Knicks are one victory away from ending a championship drought that stretches back more than five decades.
It’s that they may be entering the most important game in franchise history as underdogs.
After erasing a staggering 29-point deficit in Game 4 and seizing a commanding 3-1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks appear to have complete control of the Finals. History suggests teams in their position rarely fail to finish the job.
But history is only part of the story.
The circumstances surrounding this series have created a fascinating contradiction that has left fans, analysts, and oddsmakers seeing the matchup very differently.
The Comeback That Changed Everything
For much of Game 4, the Spurs looked poised to even the series.
San Antonio dominated the opening half, controlled the pace, and built what appeared to be an insurmountable lead. Their offense flowed effortlessly, their defense frustrated New York’s stars, and the home crowd sensed momentum shifting.
Then everything collapsed.
What followed became one of the most shocking reversals ever witnessed in an NBA Finals game.
The Knicks slowly chipped away at the deficit.
Possession by possession.
Stop by stop.
Shot by shot.
By the time the fourth quarter arrived, panic had replaced confidence on the Spurs’ bench.
New York’s energy intensified.
San Antonio tightened up.
And suddenly a game that seemed over became one of the most dramatic finishes in Finals history.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Knicks had completed a comeback that instantly entered NBA lore.
Jalen Brunson’s Championship Moment
Every championship run eventually produces defining performances.
For New York, Game 4 may be remembered as Jalen Brunson’s masterpiece.
The All-Star guard once again demonstrated why he has become the face of the franchise.
While others struggled early, Brunson remained composed.
He attacked when necessary.
Created opportunities for teammates.
Delivered timely baskets.
And most importantly, never allowed the Knicks to mentally surrender.
His 36-point performance served as another reminder that he has evolved into one of basketball’s most dependable postseason performers.
The stage was enormous.
The pressure was immense.
Brunson looked completely comfortable.
The Supporting Cast Steps Up
Championships aren’t won by stars alone.
The Knicks’ incredible rally was fueled by contributions throughout the roster.
OG Anunoby delivered crucial plays on both ends of the floor. His defensive versatility disrupted San Antonio’s rhythm, while his offensive production provided much-needed balance.
Karl-Anthony Towns also played a major role despite battling foul trouble.
Limited minutes might have diminished the impact of many players.
Not Towns.
Every possession felt important, and his ability to produce during critical moments gave New York another weapon when the game tightened.
Together, the trio helped turn what looked like a disastrous night into a potential championship-clinching victory.
Why the Spurs Are Facing Heavy Criticism
The fallout from San Antonio’s collapse has been brutal.
Former players, analysts, and media personalities have spent days dissecting how such a massive lead disappeared.
Among the loudest critics has been Charles Barkley, who openly questioned the Spurs’ decision-making during the collapse.
The criticism isn’t solely about losing.
It’s about how they lost.
Poor shot selection.
Costly turnovers.
Defensive breakdowns.
Questionable execution.
All combined to create a perfect storm that allowed New York back into the game.
For a young team trying to win a championship, the psychological impact could be significant.
The Spurs now face one of the most difficult challenges in sports: recovering from a devastating loss while knowing another defeat ends the season.
So Why Are the Knicks Underdogs?
This is where the story becomes fascinating.
Despite leading the series 3-1, many sportsbooks have installed San Antonio as favorites entering Game 5.
At first glance, it makes little sense.
The Knicks have won three of four games.
They possess momentum.
They’re one victory away from the title.
So why the skepticism?
The answer lies partly in location.
Game 5 shifts back to San Antonio, where the Spurs have been dominant throughout much of the season.
Oddsmakers also believe desperation can be a powerful force.
Teams facing elimination often play with a different level of urgency.
Additionally, many analysts still view the Spurs as one of the league’s most talented rosters despite their recent collapse.
The thinking is simple:
If San Antonio avoids the mistakes that doomed them in Game 4, they remain capable of beating anyone.
New York’s Chance to End a 53-Year Wait
For Knicks fans, however, none of those arguments matter.
The opportunity is right in front of them.
The franchise has not celebrated an NBA championship since 1973.
Generations of fans have endured heartbreak, disappointment, rebuilding projects, and countless near misses.
Now they sit one victory away from ending one of professional sports’ longest championship droughts.
The excitement throughout New York is impossible to ignore.
Every possession in Game 5 will carry enormous weight.
Every basket will feel magnified.
Every defensive stop could bring the city one step closer to history.
What Happens Next?
That’s the question dominating basketball conversations everywhere.
Can the Spurs recover emotionally from one of the worst collapses in Finals history?
Can New York maintain its momentum on the road?
Will Brunson continue his remarkable postseason run?
Or is there one final twist waiting in a series that has already produced plenty of them?
What makes Game 5 so compelling is that both possibilities feel realistic.
A Knicks victory would complete one of the most memorable championship runs in franchise history.
A Spurs win would send the series back to New York and instantly shift pressure back onto the Eastern Conference champions.
Either way, basketball fans are preparing for a game that feels larger than a typical Finals matchup.
Because after a comeback nobody saw coming, a collapse nobody can explain, and a betting line nobody expected, the 2026 NBA Finals have become something even bigger:
A battle between momentum and desperation, belief and doubt, history and opportunity.
And in just a few hours, one side may find itself celebrating forever.
