De'Aaron Fox's Late-Game Shot Decision Costs Spurs in NBA Finals Game 4 as Knicks Complete Comeback
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 107-106 in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals after De'Aaron Fox attempted a layup rather than holding the ball in the final seconds, allowing OG Anunoby to block the shot and tip in the game-winning basket. The Spurs had led by as many as 29 points in the third quarter before the Knicks mounted a historic second-half comeback. The loss puts San Antonio on the brink of elimination at 3-1, while New York stands one win away from its first championship since 1973.
With 16.1 seconds remaining and the Spurs leading 106-105, a Jalen Brunson miss deflected into the backcourt and De'Aaron Fox scooped up the loose ball with a clear path to the basket. Rather than dribbling out the clock and forcing the Knicks to foul — which would have likely secured the win — Fox attacked the rim, only to be blocked from behind by OG Anunoby. On the ensuing possession, Brunson missed a long-range attempt, but Anunoby tipped in the rebound with 1.2 seconds left to complete the 107-106 victory and the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. Fox explained afterward that he believed he could outrun the defense and score to go up three, but the decision drew immediate and widespread criticism, including Charles Barkley calling it a 'dumbass play' on ESPN's postgame show. The collapse, however, extended well beyond Fox's final miscue: San Antonio scored 76 first-half points but only 30 after the break, with the Spurs' ball movement and shooting touch disappearing as New York chipped away. Victor Wembanyama acknowledged the team 'stopped moving the ball' and 'stopped executing' in the second half, and coach Mitch Johnson lamented that the team got away from the aggressive play that built the commanding lead. The Knicks now lead the series 3-1 and need just one more win to claim their first NBA title in 53 years.
What's missing
The sources do not clarify whether the Spurs had any timeouts remaining at the moment Fox retrieved the ball, which would be relevant to assessing whether calling a timeout was a viable alternative to either shooting or dribbling out the clock.
How coverage differed
Newsweek framed the story primarily as a personal legacy-defining failure for Fox, drawing extended comparisons to J.R. Smith's 2018 Finals blunder and emphasizing the lasting damage to Fox's reputation. The Guardian provided the most comprehensive game context, including direct quotes from Fox, Wembanyama, and coach Mitch Johnson, and was careful to note that Fox's mistake capped — rather than caused — a broader second-half collapse, offering a more structurally balanced account.
What different sources said
- New York PostRight
OG Anunoby’s block on De’Aaron Fox’s ‘bonehead’ decision helps Knicks’ miracle comeback
- NewsweekCenter
De'Aaron Fox Might Have Just Made the Dumbest Play in NBA History
- The Guardian USLeft
‘That was a dumbass play’: De’Aaron Fox’s gaffe leaves door open for historic Knicks comeback
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