NBA Finals: New York Knicks Look to Regain Control Against Revitalized Spurs in Game 4

NEW YORK. The New York Knicks will host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday in the fourth game of the 2026 NBA Finals, with the opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. However, San Antonio's victory at Madison Square Garden has shifted the tone of what appeared to be a Finals heading New York's way, transforming it back into an open battle.

The Spurs arrive reinvigorated after winning 115-111 in the third matchup, a result that ended the Knicks' 13-game winning streak and restored confidence to a team that was on the verge of leaving New York on the ropes.

The star of the Texas comeback was Victor Wembanyama. After struggling to find offensive consistency in the first two games, the French star delivered his most complete Finals performance with 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks.

The difference was in their approach to offense. Wembanyama found much more space near the basket, consistently punished opponents in the paint, and significantly improved his efficiency compared to the first two games of the series. His interior dominance also created better opportunities for the rest of the rotation.

That change was reflected in San Antonio's collective performance. The Spurs found a much more balanced offensive version and placed six players in double figures. Among them, Stephon Castle stood out with 23 points and appeared in several of the game's decisive moments.

The offensive improvement allowed San Antonio to reach 115 points, their highest scoring output since Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Meanwhile, the Knicks face the fourth game with several aspects to correct despite still leading the series.

Jalen Brunson was again the offensive leader with 32 points in the third game, but continues to fall short of the efficiency he showed throughout the rest of the playoffs. The point guard is shooting below his usual percentages in these Finals, and San Antonio's defense has managed to frustrate him far more than New York's previous opponents.

Also concerning is Karl-Anthony Towns' production in crucial moments. The big man again failed to score in the fourth quarter and still hasn't found offensive prominence in the series' closing stretches. In three games, he has attempted just six field goals during the final periods—a very low number for one of the team's primary offensive weapons.

Beyond strictly tactical matters, tension has also been building as the games progress.

The third game featured several heated moments, including hard contact between players from both teams and disputed officiating decisions. The physical rivalry that had already emerged during the first games intensified in New York, and everything suggests the level of contact will continue to increase as the series advances.

Despite the loss, the Knicks maintain a privileged position. A victory in Game 4 would leave them just one win away from the championship and allow them to return to Texas with the chance to clinch the NBA Finals.

For San Antonio, meanwhile, the objective is clear: repeat the formula from the third game, capitalize on Wembanyama's growth, and return home with the series tied.

The NBA Finals have thus reached a point of enormous competitive importance. Game 4 could bring the Knicks closer to a title they've awaited since 1973 or restore complete parity to a series that has regained all its uncertainty.