The San Antonio Spurs suffered a heartbreaking collapse in Game 4 against the New York Knicks, allowing a massive lead to slip away in dramatic fashion. Guard De’Aaron Fox has emerged as the primary target of fan and analyst frustration following the narrow defeat, though the blame extends beyond any single player in what became a chaotic fourth quarter.
Fox’s decision-making in the closing moments drew particular scrutiny. With time winding down, he chose to attack the basket for a layup rather than controlling the ball and forcing the Knicks to foul, a move that many viewed as a critical error in clock management during such a high-stakes situation.
Compounding the issue, Fox was also caught out of position on a key Knicks possession. He failed to contest OG Anunoby effectively on a three-point attempt launched by Jalen Brunson. The shot clanged off the rim, but Anunoby grabbed the offensive rebound and converted the putback, delivering the final 107-106 victory for New York.
The sequence capped a stunning comeback for the Knicks, who erased a 29-point deficit. While Fox has shouldered most of the public criticism for his late-game choices, the Spurs’ shortcomings were not limited to the backcourt.
Star center Victor Wembanyama faced his share of pointed commentary as well after an uncharacteristically shaky performance down the stretch. His struggles at the free-throw line and overall inefficiency in the final period contributed heavily to the team’s inability to close out the contest.
“A total choke job by Wembanyama last night. Had fear in his eyes at the line when he bricked both free throws. Seems Fox is taking most of the criticism for his dumb decisions. But Wemby blew it again too, somehow and unfathomably even worse than the pass off Castle’s back,” Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports said.
Wembanyama’s fourth-quarter numbers painted a difficult picture. The towering Frenchman missed eight field goal attempts and converted just one of four free throws, according to Underdog Sports. These misses proved especially costly as the Spurs watched their commanding advantage evaporate.
The loss highlighted vulnerabilities in San Antonio’s young core under pressure. Both Fox and Wembanyama, key pillars of the franchise’s future, showed moments of inexperience when composure was most needed. The Knicks capitalized on every opportunity, turning defensive lapses into momentum-shifting plays.
Despite the disappointment, the Spurs still have an opportunity to regroup at home. The series now heads back to San Antonio for Game 5 on Saturday night, where the home crowd could provide the energy needed to stabilize the team and push back against New York’s resurgence.
As the matchup intensifies, the Spurs will need sharper execution from their stars and better collective focus in crunch time.
Learning from the Game 4 miscues could prove vital if San Antonio hopes to extend the series and keep their playoff hopes alive.
