Bloomberg Sports Reporter Jon Stashower Talks NBA Finals Game 4

Summary

Bloomberg Talks: NBA Finals Game 4 Breakdown with Jon Stashower

Episode Date: June 11, 2026
Host(s): Bloomberg (Tom, Alexis, Paul)
Guest: Jon Stashower, Bloomberg Sports Reporter

Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into the thrilling NBA Finals Game 4, focusing on the dramatic comeback victory, pivotal player performances, and the emotional ride for the Knicks’ long-suffering fanbase. The hosts and sports reporter Jon Stashower examine key moments from the game, discuss strategic moves, and reflect on the franchise’s history of struggles and hopes for a championship.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Knicks’ Stunning Comeback (00:39–01:17)

• Massive Deficit: The Knicks were down by 29 early in the third quarter—making a comeback seem impossible.

• Turning Point: They relentlessly chipped away, cutting the deficit to 15 by the fourth quarter.

• First Lead: Knicks took their first lead with just 1:22 remaining.

• Game Winner: OG Anunoby tipped in a missed Jalen Brunson three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left, securing a 107-106 win.

  "Brunson gets it, fires up a three shot. No good. The tip, it's gone. It's good. It's good. With 1.2 remaining. Knicks take the lead, OG Anunoby. And it's 107, 106."
  — Jon Stashower (01:03)

• Hosts' Responses:

  • Paul: “I'm not sure what was more astonishing, the comeback or that game-winning basket at the end.” (01:17)
  • Tom: “As great as the Knicks played in the second half...defensively, they held the spurs to only 30 points. Just extraordinary.” (01:25)

2. Analysis of the Spurs’ Collapse (01:25–01:37)

• First Half Dominance: Spurs scored 71 points and hit 14 of 26 three-pointers—a “hot” performance.

• Second Half Decline: Spurs cooled off and the Knicks capitalized, reminiscent of past comebacks.

  "They had 71 in the first half. It was incredible...but you didn't think they could do it this time because the Spurs are a better team."
  — Paul (01:33)

3. Strategic Tweaks and Player Highlights (02:07–02:48)

• Jose Alvarado's Unexpected Role:
  • Alexis and Paul discuss seeing Alvarado and Brunson playing together late—a rare move by Spurs coach Mike Brown.
  • Alvarado delivered “a couple of big shots in that comeback in the fourth quarter.”
  • Alexis notes Alvarado’s lucky escape from injury in the previous game and his influential minutes in Game 4.

4. Looking Ahead: Game 5 & Series Narrative (02:48–03:19)

• Return to San Antonio: Knicks have already won twice there, but “it might be hard to wrap this thing up on the road.”
• What’s Next: If Spurs win Game 5, Game 6 shifts back to New York's Madison Square Garden—a “hot ticket” for potential championship clinch.

5. Knicks Franchise History & Fans’ Agony (03:19–03:39)

• Long Drought & Past Struggles:

  • Recalling stars like Clyde Frazier from 1973 and decades of heartbreak.
  • “Twelve coaches in eighteen years...they kept recycling different coaches...never worked. And now it's finally worked, and they have such a great team.” (03:39)

  "That's part of why this has become such a big story, is because Knicks fans have gone through so many just dreadful teams..."
  — Paul (03:39)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Game-Winner:

  “Brunson gets it, fires up a three shot. No good. The tip, it’s gone. It’s good. It’s good. With 1.2 remaining. Knicks take the lead, OG Anunoby. And it’s 107, 106."
  — Jon Stashower (01:03)

• On Team Resilience:

  "The Knicks have made these comebacks before...but you didn't think they could do it this time because the Spurs are a better team."
  — Paul (01:33)

• On Franchise Pain:

  "They bring in Phil Jackson...never worked. And now it’s finally worked, and they have such a great team."
  — Paul (03:39)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:39 — Discussion begins on Knicks’ comeback and key final-minute moments
• 01:03 — Jon Stashower describes the dramatic game-winning play
• 01:25 — Hosts analyze Spurs’ first-half dominance and second-half struggles
• 02:07 — Conversation about Alvarado’s impact and strategic changes
• 02:48 — Preview of Game 5, series dynamics, and what a win could mean for both teams
• 03:19 — Reflections on Knicks history, fan base, and significance of the Finals run

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Episode Tone & Style

• Lively, passionate exchanges between sports reporters and hosts
• Local New York flavor, with references to franchise history and fan emotion
• Informal banter combined with tactical analysis and historical perspective

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This episode richly covers the emotional rollercoaster of Game 4, highlights the small strategic moves that became pivotal, and contextualizes the Knicks’ resurgence for fans new and old alike.

Transcript

[Tom]

Indiana University strengthens tomorrow's workforce with practical, real world experience. IU grads make a difference in your community, serving as teachers, nurses and engineers who rise to tomorrow's challenges and meet them. Learn more at iu.edu impact

[Narrator/Announcer]

Bloomberg Audio Studios Podcasts Radio News he's the pride of Syracuse University.

[Alexis]

He knows why the Mets are so terrible. With perspective game last night, it can only be our beloved sports anchor, John Stash. Our John. Good morning.

[Paul]

Good morning. Tonight I can't kill Paul for going to sleep. I think a lot of people did. You know, when it's. They're down by 29 early in the third quarter. But here's what Paul missed. They cut that deficit in half. It was 15 going to the fourth quarter. The Knicks kept chipping away and they took their first lead with a minute 22 to go. A Jalen Brunson shine. And they fell back behind. So they were down one. They had the ball about six seconds left.

[John Stash]

Brunson gets it, fires up a three shot. No good. The tip, it's gone. It's good. It's good. With 1.2 remaining. Next. Take the lead, OG Anobi. And it's 107, 106.

[Paul]

That was your final score. ABC had the call. And I was saying this morning, Tom, I'm not sure what was more astonishing, the comeback or that game winning basket at the end.

[Tom]

Yeah, John, I mean, I mean, as great as the Knicks played in the second half, defeated defensively, they held the spurs to only 30 points. Just extraordinary.

[Paul]

Well, they had 71 in the first half. It was incredible. Now, you know, you had the feeling there was no way they could keep making those shots. There's. They shot 14 of 26 on three pointers in the first half. So they did cool off. And the Knicks have made these comebacks before. Even last year with basically the same players. They had a couple of big comebacks in the playoffs. They beat the Celtics. They came from 22 down in game one against Cleveland, only seven minutes left. But you didn't think they could do it this time because the spurs are a better team and they were playing so well. I don't think anybody really could have seen this coming, John.

[Alexis]

You know what I noticed was a change to Alvarado. I mean, he goes into the stands the other night, he saved. They're protected by a man in the stands who caught him nicely last night. And then at the end of the game, all of a sudden I've got Alvarado, Brunson. I'm sorry, is that Something new for game five.

[Paul]

It's a good point. No, he. Mike Brown very rarely, I think, plays those two together, and I was surprised they did. But Alvarado, I don't know. He's very pesky, you know, and he. Maybe that's why he brought him. He had a couple of big shots in that comeback in the. In the fourth quarter.

[Alexis]

I think Paul. It's amazing that Alvarado. I mean, he knows he was lucky to play game four. Protected in game three by that person on the sidelines.

[Tom]

Exactly right. So, John, we. The game. We head back to San Antonio for a game Saturday night. What are you thinking here?

[Paul]

Well, they just won twice in San Antonio, so, you know, I mean, logic tells you that it might be hard to wrap this thing up on the road. I don't think the spurs want to see the Knicks celebrate on their home floor. But if San Antonio wins Saturday, then we would move ahead to Tuesday night back at the Garden. It'll be another hot ticket with a chance to win the championship.

[Alexis]

John, I'm an amateur. Alexis is the real deal. Paul's the real deal. Who was up on your wall as a kid, like, 1973?

[Paul]

Oh, Clyde, absolutely.

[Alexis]

Link for our international audience. John stash, our link. 1973 and the other struggles over here to 2006.

[Paul]

Yeah, I mean, there's been a lot of struggles. I mean, that's. That's part of why this has become such a big story, is because Knick fans have gone through so many just dreadful teams. I mean, yeah, they went to finals in 99, but basically since then, I mean, Tom, they had 12 coaches in 18 years. I mean, they just kept recycling different coaches, general managers, they bring in Phil Jackson, they bring in all kinds of people. Never worked. And now it's finally worked, and they have such a great team.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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