The New York Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history on Tuesday night, erasing a 29-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-108 and take a 3-1 series lead [1].

The comeback surpassed the previous record of 15 points, set by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. The Knicks trailed 74-45 with 8:32 remaining in the third quarter before mounting a furious rally that silenced the Thunder's home crowd.

The Collapse

Oklahoma City dominated the first half, building a 24-point lead behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 28 points through three quarters [2]. The Thunder's defense held New York to 38% shooting in the first half, and the game appeared decided.

Then the Knicks changed everything.

New York opened the third quarter on a 19-4 run, cutting the lead to 14. The Thunder called timeout, but the momentum had shifted. Jalen Brunson scored 12 points in the final six minutes of the quarter, and OG Anunoby's three-pointer with 1:02 remaining cut the lead to 8 entering the fourth.

The Fourth Quarter

The Knicks outscored the Thunder 34-18 in the fourth quarter. Brunson finished with 38 points and 11 assists. Anunoby added 24 points and hit the go-ahead basket with 1:47 remaining. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 34 points but committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter. The Thunder shot 6-for-22 from three-point range in the second half.

Historic Context

The previous largest Finals comeback was 15 points by Cleveland in 2016 [3]. The Knicks' 29-point margin surpasses that by 14 points. New York's last championship came in 1973.

Game 5 is Thursday in New York.