
The Knicks erased a 29-point deficit in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Spurs join the Falcons, Yankees, and Greg Norman in sports' worst collapses.
NEW YORK – The San Antonio Spurs now share a locker room with the 2016 Warriors, the 2004 Yankees, and the 1996 Greg Norman. Not the good kind of company.
The New York Knicks erased a 29-point deficit Wednesday night, winning 107-106 on OG Anunoby's tip-in with 1.2 seconds left in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Knicks lead the series 3-1 and can close it out Saturday in San Antonio.
Jalen Brunson scored 36 points. Anunoby added 33. The Spurs led by 29 early in the third quarter and still held a 20-point edge with under 10 minutes to play. Then the Knicks went on a 40-14 run to close regulation.
The collapse lands in a crowded hall of infamy. Here are the other memorable meltdowns that compare.
Super Bowl 51: Falcons blow 28-3 lead
Atlanta led 28-3 with 8:31 left in the third quarter. Tom Brady and the Patriots scored 25 straight points, the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. New England won the coin toss in overtime, drove for a touchdown, and never gave Matt Ryan the ball back.
2016 NCAA Tournament: Northern Iowa vs. Texas A&M
Northern Iowa led 69-57 with 44 seconds left. The Aggies pressed, forced four turnovers, and closed regulation on a 14-2 run. Texas A&M won in double overtime. The Panthers never got the ball past half-court in the final minute.
2016 Masters: Jordan Spieth on the back nine
Spieth, 22, held a five-shot lead starting the back nine at Augusta. He bogeyed 10 and 11, then quadruple-bogeyed the par-3 12th. By the 13th tee, he trailed by three. He finished tied for second.
2004 ALCS: Yankees blow 3-0 series lead to Red Sox
Boston trailed 4-3 in the ninth inning of Game 4 at Fenway. Mariano Rivera was on the mound. David Ortiz hit a walk-off homer in the 12th. The Red Sox won three more to take the series, then swept the Cardinals for their first title since 1918.
1999 British Open: Jean van de Velde at Carnoustie
Van de Velde led by five entering the final round and by three standing on the 18th tee. He hit a grandstand, found a creek, and made triple-bogey. He lost a four-hole playoff to Paul Lawrie, who started the day 10 shots back.
1996 Masters: Greg Norman shoots 78
Norman took a six-shot lead into Sunday at Augusta. He shot 78 in the final round, lost the lead by the 12th hole, and finished five behind Nick Faldo.
1995 Eastern Conference semis: Reggie Miller, 8 points in 9 seconds
The Knicks led 105-99 with 18.7 seconds left in Game 1. Miller hit a three, stole the inbounds pass, and hit another to tie it. John Starks missed two free throws. Patrick Ewing missed a 10-footer. Miller made two free throws for a 107-105 Pacers win. Indiana won the series in seven.
1993 NFL wild card: Bills rally from 35-3
Houston led 35-3 in the fourth quarter. Backup Frank Reich, filling in for Jim Kelly, threw four touchdown passes, three to Andre Reed. Steve Christie kicked the winning field goal in overtime. Buffalo won 41-38.
1942 Stanley Cup Finals: Maple Leafs from 3-0 down
Toronto lost the first three games to Detroit, then won four straight. It was the first time a North American pro sports team overcame a 3-0 series deficit to win a playoff round.
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