The decisive moment
New York erased a 16-point deficit to steal this one on the road, and the shift came in the fourth quarter when the Knicks finally took a lead they would not relinquish. With 10:08 remaining in regulation, New York pulled ahead for good, riding a surge that flipped the game's momentum entirely.
By the numbers
- Jalen Brunson: 45 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST
- Dylan Harper: 25 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
- Victor Wembanyama: 19 PTS, 14 REB, 2 AST
- Josh Hart: 13 PTS, 11 REB, 2 AST
- Final margin: 4 points
- Combined score: 184 points
Brunson's 45-point outburst was the story of the night, carrying New York through the deficit and into the lead when it mattered most. San Antonio got a well-rounded performance from Wembanyama on the glass and Harper as a secondary scorer, but the production wasn't enough to close the door.
What it means
The comeback win adds another signature performance to Brunson's postseason resume and gives New York a hard-fought result in a tightly contested playoff atmosphere. For San Antonio, the loss stings given the size of the lead they surrendered, even with strong individual showings from Wembanyama and Harper.
The Spurs will also have to navigate the absences of Jayden Quaintance, who is out indefinitely after right knee surgery, along with the day-to-day statuses of Keegan Murray and De'Andre Hunter, both dealing with injuries that limit San Antonio's depth.
What to watch next
Both teams will look ahead to their next matchup with plenty to address — New York will aim to build on Brunson's big night, while San Antonio will need its role players to shore up the fourth-quarter execution that slipped away in this one.