NBA Finals Game 5 preview: Why the Knicks are poised to close out the Spurs after stunning comeback

Tonight we may see the end of the 2026 NBA season, and it could come with the New York Knicks hoisting the NBA Finals trophy. Those words mean a lot to a lot of people, but before we get there, we have one last opportunity to cash in after going 2-1 in Game 4 with one loss.

Let’s look at Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

This paragraph is dedicated to the Knicks haters: They should have lost at least three games in this series. It’s very possible that the team is down 3-1, and it should be. The only reason they have this opportunity is because of stupid decisions by the Spurs and their easy path to the Finals.

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If they had played tough teams in the East, they too might have gotten tired and demoralized. Instead, they were gifted an amazing but non-superstar Hawks, a hobbled and tired 76ers team, an exhausted Cavs team, and an emotional and tired Spurs team. Your fans don’t deserve to win either with the bullshit they give to Spurs fans and players.

I only really agree with the first two and last sentences of this paragraph.

For Knicks fans: Your team never gives up. Coming back from being down 29 points in the regular season is impressive, but are you doing it to take a 3-1 lead instead of 2-2 in the Finals? This is great. You have one of the best starting fives in the league. Jalen Brunson continues to show that he is among the best players in the league. He has no fear and has an admirably calm demeanor. You all stole the heart of San Antonio and now you have three chances to turn it off.

OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks celebrates after scoring the go-ahead basket in the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 10, 2026. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

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There will be no paragraphs differentiating Spurs fans. Your team ruined it. I can’t believe I really have to defend this, but De’Aaron Fox isn’t the only reason you lost the game. You were 29 points ahead and you didn’t cut off the snake’s head. You had a chance to take Game 2, where they led for most of the game, and then they decided to take the worst shot in basketball on a 6-foot-10 player. This was a masterclass in how to make games angry.

Let’s get back to the play everyone is talking about: Fox steals the ball on a run and goes for a layup. Blocked by OG Anunoby. Then the Knicks hit a 30-foot 3-pointer and Anunoby takes a tip-in with about a second left. You were ahead by 15 points with 12 minutes left and you lost. You were up 14 with seven minutes left and you lost. This isn’t a meaningless regular season game, this is the NBA Finals.

Fox’s play… wasn’t great, but his layup attempt wasn’t a terrible call either. Of course, he could potentially run out the clock. They could have missed both free throws and had the same amount of time. I took the layup and increased the count to 3.

New York Knicks PG Jalen Brunson shoots at San Antonio Spurs PG De’aaron Fox during Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)

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It’s hard to get Spurs here. Did they put up a good fight? Of course, but they definitely need some maturation. That’s why I took the Thunder to win Game 7. If you want to believe them, go ahead. I don’t. The Knicks shouldn’t care about winning on the road or at home.

Judging by the behavior of New York fans, if the Knicks win they could burn the whole city down, so they might as well do it on the road. Give me Knicks +5.5. You can’t come back from losses like the Spurs did. Finished.