Knicks near title; Trump booed

What's happened

The New York Knicks have won Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, completing the largest comeback in finals history with OG Anunoby's last-second tip-in to beat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106. Earlier in the series, President Donald Trump attended Game 3 at Madison Square Garden and was loudly booed when shown on the jumbotron amid heavy security measures.

What's behind the headline?

What changed on the court

• The Knicks have erased a 29-point deficit and have secured a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven NBA Finals after OG Anunoby tipped in the winning basket with 1.2 seconds left. This comeback is the largest in NBA finals history and has transformed San Antonio's apparent control into a sudden crisis.

How this will reshape the series

• San Antonio will face urgent pressure to win Game 5 at home. Historically, teams down 3-1 almost never win the series; the Spurs must change momentum immediately or their season will end in San Antonio.
• New York will be carrying renewed belief and a narrow scoring margin across four games: the cumulative point differential is small and three games have been decided in the final seconds, so one more Knicks win will close a 53-year championship drought.

What to watch next

• The Spurs' response on defence and how Victor Wembanyama handles late-game pressure will determine whether San Antonio can force a return to New York.
• The Knicks' depth and ability to avoid collapses will determine whether they will finish the job in Game 5.

Broader consequences

• A Knicks title will trigger major celebrations in New York and significant commercial windfalls for the franchise and local businesses.
• The spotlight on Game 3's high-security presence and the president's attendance will keep blending sports and politics in headlines, but on the court the immediate consequence is a Knicks team poised to end a long drought.

How we got here

The Knicks have not won an NBA championship since 1973. Game 4 has produced the largest comeback in finals history and put New York one win from a title; Game 5 will be played in San Antonio with the Spurs needing to avoid elimination.

Our analysis

The Guardian has provided detailed game coverage and context, including Bryan Armen Graham's account that the Knicks completed a 29-point comeback with OG Anunoby's tip-in to take a 3-1 series lead and sent fans into the streets (The Guardian, Bryan Armen Graham, 14 Jun 2026; 11 Jun 2026). The Guardian's earlier reports from 9 June described the heavy security and celebrity presence at Madison Square Garden when the series first came to New York. Al Jazeera and SBS focused on the political and security angle from Game 3: Al Jazeera noted that President Donald Trump, attending as a guest of owner James Dolan, was "jeered" and "booed" on the jumbotron during the national anthem while Secret Service counter-drone measures and checkpoint screening reshaped access to the arena (Al Jazeera, 9 Jun 2026). SBS and The Times of Israel quoted local witnesses and officials describing long entry delays, metal fencing and the cancellation of an outdoor watch party because of security protocols (SBS, 9 Jun 2026; The Times of Israel, 9 Jun 2026). CNBC and the New York Times recorded the same crowd reaction and the boos turning to cheers when Knicks star Jalen Brunson appeared on screen (CNBC, 9 Jun 2026; New York Times Business, 9 Jun 2026). Where the outlets differ is emphasis: sports pages such as The Guardian emphasise the dramatic comeback and the series implications; international outlets and local reporters emphasise the extraordinary security operation and the political spectacle of a sitting president being loudly booed at a high-profile sporting event. Direct quote examples: The Guardian reported the finish as "the largest comeback in finals history" and described Anunoby's tip-in as delivering a "stunning 107-106 victory" (Bryan Armen Graham, The Guardian). Al Jazeera reported that White House pool reporters said the president had been booed "thunderously" and quoted Secret Service Special Agent Matt McCool on the protection operation. Those differing emphases invite readers to consult both game coverage and the securi

Go deeper

• Will the Spurs change their defensive strategy around Victor Wembanyama for Game 5?
• How will Madison Square Garden and the city manage security if the series returns to New York?
• What commercial and civic effects will a Knicks championship have across Manhattan?

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