The Spurs Become the Unfortunate Owners of the Most Painful Loss in NBA Finals History - San Antonio - 1

The Spurs Become the Unfortunate Owners of the Most Painful Loss in NBA Finals History - San Antonio - 2

Oh man, my hands are still shaking. Honestly, after the game ended today, I was in such a daze that I couldn't bring myself to turn off the TV.

As a San Antonio Spurs fan, I've witnessed many thrilling matches, but this feels like the first time I've experienced such a hollow and shocking loss.

What frustrates me is that the Spurs didn't lose because they played poorly. Well, they did lose, so it's true they didn't play well.

In short, the Spurs played a historic game today.

The problem is that the New York Knicks also played a historic game.

From the first quarter, the Spurs were a completely different team. Even though it was an away game, Madison Square Garden was so quiet it felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over it.

Victor Wembanyama dominated the paint, and Dillon Harper showed a confidence that belied his rookie status. Devin Vassell's shots seemed to go in every time they grazed the rim.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was 41 to 22.

This was the largest lead ever held by an away team at the end of the first quarter in NBA Finals history.

The first half was even crazier.

Three-pointers were raining down like crazy.

In the first half alone, they made an incredible 14 three-pointers, setting a record for the most three-pointers in a half in NBA Finals history. The halftime score was 76 to 49.

Madison Square Garden was eerily quiet, like a funeral.

It felt like a chance to repay the disappointing home losses from the first two games of the series all at once.

Early in the third quarter, the score was 81 to 52.

That was a staggering 29-point lead.

Statistical sites in the U.S. had the Spurs' win probability at over 99%.

At that moment, I was already thinking that all we needed to do was win Game 5 at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday.

But that's when the nightmare began.

The New York Knicks, a team of clutch supermen, refused to give up.

Jalen Brunson scored 36 points and began to turn the game around.

And today's Superman, OG Anunoby, scored an impressive 33 points, lighting it up from the perimeter.

Karl-Anthony Towns held his ground despite foul trouble, and even bench player Jose Alvarado made crucial contributions.

The Spurs Become the Unfortunate Owners of the Most Painful Loss in NBA Finals History - San Antonio - 3

Meanwhile, the Spurs suddenly froze up.

In the third quarter alone, they managed to score just 14 points, making only 2 out of 12 three-point attempts.

Turnovers increased, and their offensive flow was disrupted.

Still, with 30 seconds left, when Stephon Castle made two free throws, I thought we were still okay.

106 to 105.

A one-point lead.

Then Brunson's jumper missed.

In that moment, I thought we had barely won and it was over.

But immediately, the villain of the day, De'Aaron Fox, had his layup blocked by OG Anunoby. With 7 seconds left, if we could just draw an offensive foul, it would have been over.

But trying to force a shot and failing... giving up possession again was the real problem.

With just 1.2 seconds left.

Brunson's three-pointer hit the front of the rim and bounced up.

And then, an unbelievable scene unfolded.

OG Anunoby soared like someone jumping off the Empire State Building.

He slipped past Wembanyama and tipped the ball in over Dillon Harper... no, it was a lucky touch that turned into a successful tip-in.

107 to 106.

This was the moment one of the greatest rebounds in Knicks history, and indeed NBA Finals history, was born.

With 1.2 seconds left.

There was still a glimmer of hope.

But Stephon Castle, who was trying to receive the inbounds pass, lost the ball. I wondered if they would call a foul here...

Game over.

Madison Square Garden erupted.

The Knicks recorded the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

On the other hand, the Spurs became the team that squandered the biggest lead in NBA Finals history.

To think they let go of a 99% win probability.

Watching those three-pointers in the second half, I was like, oh no... what was the coach doing?

It really hurts.

This loss will likely haunt the players for months.

And it will linger for Spurs fans for a long time as well.

To lose a game after leading by 29 points is just too harsh a reality.