Full Breakdown
Jose Alvarado Fuels Knicks' Record-Breaking 29-Point Comeback in NBA Finals Game 4
6/11/2026, 3:03:39 PM
Knicks' Historic Fourth-Quarter Surge
In Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals, the New York Knicks erased a 29-point third-quarter deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 107-106, taking a 3-1 series lead. Reserve guard Jose Alvarado entered with 9:46 left and helped the Knicks outscore the Spurs by 17 points while he was on the floor.
Alvarado's Path to the Finals
Undrafted out of Georgia Tech in 2021, Alvarado signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Knicks acquired him from New Orleans on Feb. 5 to add depth after Miles McBride’s hernia surgery. He moved from single-digit minutes to a playoff role, posting seven points and four rebounds in Game 1 of the Finals.
Main Contributors
Coach Mike Brown highlighted Alvarado’s impact. Teammates Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart supplied scoring. Towns praised Alvarado’s emotional drive, while Landry Shamet noted his entry “changed the game.”
Numbers That Defined the Turnaround
Alvarado logged nine minutes, 40 seconds in the fourth, tallying eight points, three assists and two rebounds. His burst featured a 9:46 three, a 3:49 layup, a 3:07 three and two assists on Anunoby and Brunson threes. The Knicks outscored the Spurs by 17 points with him on the floor.
Fourth-Quarter Timeline
- 9:46 left: Alvarado three cuts lead to 95-78.
- 5:30 left: Layup trims deficit to 102-97.
- 3:07 left: Three makes it 104-100.
- 3:49 left: Assist on Anunoby three.
- 2:21 left: Assist on Brunson three ties 105-105.
- Final seconds: Alvarado rebound sets up Anunoby’s tip-in.
Official Statements & Responses
Brown called Alvarado “unbelievable” and said he changed the game. Towns called him a rare player who turns emotion into performance, praising his tenacity, defense and shooting. Alvarado described the win as “amazing,” admitting he was “about to cry” and that playing at Madison Square Garden felt “something special.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jose was unbelievable tonight,” — Mike Brown, Knicks head coach
- “When you talk about somebody who not only lives up to the moment but plays with his emotion, and utilizes that to his advantage, that’s a rare quality,” — Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves forward
- “I’m glad it went our way today, and I’ll definitely remember this for the rest of my life.” — Jose Alvarado, Knicks guard
- “I was about to cry, not because — obviously there is one more, but … I’m at Madison Square Garden, end of the fourth quarter, playing with these guys, and we’re playing for something special,” — Jose Alvarado
What Lies Ahead
The win puts New York one victory from its first title in 53 years as the series moves to San Antonio for Game 5. The Knicks will look to build on Alvarado’s momentum; the Spurs will aim to regroup after the collapse.
