Samwise NBA Newsletter
Friday, June 12, 2026
Anunoby Tip-In Caps Largest Comeback in NBA Finals History as Knicks Lead Spurs 3–1
The New York Knicks erased a 29-point deficit Wednesday to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107–106 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, completing the largest comeback in Finals history. Down 81–52 with 9:40 remaining in the third quarter, ESPN Analytics gave New York just a 0.4 percent win probability. Jalen Brunson finished with 36 points on nine-of-eleven free throws, while OG Anunoby scored 33 points and delivered the game-winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining. Anunoby had first blocked De’Aaron Fox’s layup attempt to set up New York’s final possession. The Knicks, seeking their first NBA championship since 1973, lead the series 3–1.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Knicks One Win From First Title Since 1973 as Game 5 Shifts to San Antonio
The New York Knicks enter Saturday’s Game 5 with a 3–1 Finals lead and three chances to capture their first NBA championship since 1973, with tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC at the Spurs’ arena in San Antonio. The Spurs built double-digit leads in all four Finals games yet trail 3–1, a testament to New York’s resilience and depth. San Antonio defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference Finals, with Victor Wembanyama earning conference Finals MVP honors. The Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0 in the Eastern Conference Finals before advancing to face San Antonio.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
OG Anunoby Sprints to Top of Finals MVP Ladder After Game 4 Heroics
OG Anunoby has emerged as the leading contender for the 2026 NBA Finals MVP award following his Game 4 performance, according to NBA.com’s Finals MVP Ladder updated June 11. The Knicks forward is averaging 23.8 points per game in the series while shooting 55.8 percent on 15 made three-pointers through four games. After hitting seven three-pointers on nine attempts and scoring 33 points in Game 4, Anunoby rose to +280 odds on ESPN’s board, with Jalen Brunson remaining the favorite at –135. Anunoby and Brunson became the first Knicks pair to each score 30 or more points in an NBA Finals game during Wednesday’s comeback victory.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
Karl-Anthony Towns Reshaping Playoff Reputation with Two-Way Finals Excellence
Karl-Anthony Towns has delivered the most complete basketball of his career in his first NBA Finals appearance. Towns posted 18 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1 and 21 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2 as the Knicks took a 2–0 lead. He contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes in Game 4, including a critical deflection on San Antonio’s final inbound play that helped preserve the comeback. Towns has recorded the most assists by a Knicks center in a single postseason, per NBA.com, and his three-point percentage climbed to 48 percent in the playoffs.
Sources: NBA.com, Yahoo Sports
Spurs Rookie Dylan Harper Shatters Multiple NBA Finals Records in Historic Run
San Antonio guard Dylan Harper has rewritten the record book for first-year players during the 2026 NBA Finals. The 20-year-old, selected second overall in 2025, scored 10 points in the opening quarter of Game 1 – the highest total by a rookie in an NBA Finals Game 1 quarter since play-by-play tracking began in 1998, according to Yahoo Sports. Harper also surpassed David Robinson’s franchise record for most points by a Spurs rookie in a single postseason. In Game 4, Harper finished with 21 points on eight-of-12 shooting despite San Antonio’s historic collapse, and told reporters the team has renewed motivation entering Saturday’s elimination game.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Robinson Playing Through Fractured Pinky, Fox Managing Ankle Ahead of Game 5
The Knicks and Spurs head into Saturday’s Game 5 with manageable injury concerns. New York center Mitchell Robinson underwent surgery on a fractured right pinky finger five days before Game 1 of the Finals and has played in all four games while wearing a protective brace, according to multiple reports. San Antonio guard De’Aaron Fox sat out the first two games of the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City with a high right ankle sprain but was cleared to play before the Finals and has been active throughout the series. Neither team has listed additional players on the injury report for Game 5.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
Wembanyama Fatigue a Growing Concern After 44 Minutes in Game 4 Collapse
Victor Wembanyama’s workload has become a focal point heading into Saturday’s Game 5. The Spurs center logged 44 minutes in Game 4, posting 24 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks, and is averaging 40.3 minutes per game in the Finals – the highest postseason usage of his career, per ESPN. Despite those numbers, Wembanyama appeared increasingly fatigued as the Knicks erased their 29-point deficit in the second half. Named Western Conference Finals MVP after leading San Antonio past Oklahoma City in seven games, Wembanyama will get two rest days before Saturday’s must-win home elimination game, which should provide some recovery time before tip-off.
Sources: ESPN
Giannis Trade Expected After NBA Finals With Heat Leading Contenders
The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo following the conclusion of the NBA Finals, with multiple reports aligning on that timeline. Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam has publicly stated the franchise will either move Antetokounmpo before the June 23 NBA Draft or commit to building around him, requiring a different roster approach. The Miami Heat are the two-time MVP’s preferred landing spot, according to ESPN, while the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets have recently emerged as additional trade partners. The Bucks may wait until after the Finals conclude before finalizing a deal, keeping league-wide attention on Milwaukee’s decision.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Sports Illustrated
2026 NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference Finals: Knicks def. Cavaliers 4–0
Western Conference
Western Conference Finals: Spurs def. Thunder 4–3
NBA Finals
New York Knicks lead San Antonio Spurs 3–1
Game 1: Knicks 105, Spurs 95 • Game 2: Knicks 105, Spurs 104 • Game 3: Spurs 115, Knicks 111 • Game 4: Knicks 107, Spurs 106
Game 5: Sat. June 13 — 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC (San Antonio)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency