San Antonio blew a 29-point third-quarter lead and lost 107-106 to the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, handing New York a 3-1 series lead. The collapse has ignited anger on social media aimed at head coach Mitch Johnson.
The Spurs walked into Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals with a chance to level the series against the New York Knicks. Instead, they suffered one of the most devastating defeats in franchise history—and by the time the final buzzer sounded, the blame was already spreading faster than the ball ever did.
San Antonio built a commanding 29-point lead in the third quarter. Then, in a 107-106 loss, that advantage disappeared in stunning fashion. The result gave New York a commanding 3-1 series lead, and the collapse sparked immediate outrage across social media. Many frustrated Spurs fans directed their anger toward head coach Mitch Johnson.
Critics pinned the turnaround on what they saw as coaching missteps. pointing specifically to San Antonio’s inability to halt New York’s momentum. They also questioned Johnson’s timeout management. late-game adjustments. and rotational decisions as the Spurs watched their offense stall and their control of the game evaporate.
New York’s surge was powered by Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby. Brunson finished with 36 points, while Anunoby produced a playoff career-high 33. The Knicks drilled an NBA Finals-record 14 first-half three-pointers and carried a 76-49 halftime lead. Everything about the Spurs’ early showing suggested cruise control was within reach—yet the second half told a different story.
San Antonio’s shooting fell off sharply from deep. The Spurs connected on just three of 17 attempts beyond the arc in the second half, and they struggled to handle the defensive pressure New York tightened as the game wore on.
The decisive swing arrived in the final seconds. After a missed Brunson shot, Anunoby followed it up with a tip-in for the game-winner with 1.2 seconds remaining. That last touch—quick, ruthless, and perfectly timed—helped turn a franchise-defining collapse into a series-defining moment.
Johnson, for his part, remains highly respected within the organization. He joined former head coach Gregg Popovich’s staff in 2019 and later became the franchise’s permanent head coach in 2025. In his first full season, Johnson led San Antonio to a 62-20 record. He earned All-Star Game coaching honors and guided the Spurs to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014. The problem for Johnson is simple: Game 4’s historic collapse has pulled his decision-making into focus at the worst possible time.
The outrage intensified even further after the loss. One post argued that Johnson should be fired before Game 5, referencing the 29-point lead blowing and a “rookie inbound” on the last possession.
Now the Spurs face Game 5 with a 3-1 series deficit hanging over them—while the anger aimed at Mitch Johnson threatens to drown out the respect he earned over multiple seasons.
San Antonio Spurs New York Knicks 2026 NBA Finals Mitch Johnson Game 4 collapse Jalen Brunson OG Anunoby