he Knicks refused to give the Spurs any breathing room.
Energized by McGrady's sudden surge, Lin Yi took control in the final stretch and helped push the Spurs off the cliff.
The final score was 138-130.
The Knicks had conquered San Antonio on the road and now led the Finals 3-1.
Lin Yi finished with a monstrous 66 points on 25-of-39 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three and a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line.
He also added 20 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks. It was a historic performance — the highest single-game scoring total in NBA Finals history.
McGrady's 13 straight points in overtime also stole plenty of headlines. Many had written off the Yao-Mac duo as ring-chasers at the start of the season, but they had proven far more valuable than anyone expected.
Chris Paul, watching from the bench after fouling out, realized he needed to step up significantly if he wanted to keep his place in the rotation. At least he wasn't the only one who had been quiet — Klay Thompson was in the same boat.
. . .
The Big Three of the Spurs stayed in heavy silence. Duncan remained slumped on the bench long after the final buzzer.
Ginóbili pressed an ice pack to his body with quiet breaths, while Parker stood on the court with his hands on his hips, staring at the floor. The three veterans stayed on the court until most of the home fans had left.
[Image]
Popovich, on his way to the press conference, saw the scene and let out a deep sigh. The Spurs still had life in the series, but they had just missed their best chance to turn things around.
Game 5 was only a day away. There was plenty to prepare: adjusting the players' mindset, refining defensive schemes, and finding new ways to counter the Knicks' firepower.
The more Popovich thought about it, the more frustrated he became. In a rare moment of visible anger, he slammed his fist hard onto a chair, knocking it over.
Duncan glanced over. "Does it hurt?"
Ginóbili and Parker chuckled softly.
Popovich, rubbing his swelling hand, muttered, "Yeah, it does."
Duncan smiled. "I was asking about the chair, Pop. You dented it."
Even in defeat, the old group still had its humor. Popovich couldn't help but feel a quiet pride. This was the team he had built — resilient, tough, and unwilling to fold easily.
. . .
Game 4 quickly became one of the most memorable in Finals history. Popovich was blunt in his post-game comments: "If Lin Yi plays like this every night, we should just hand him the trophy and stop playing."
He also admitted the Spurs had lost to more than just one exceptional performance. McGrady's explosion in overtime had been the dagger.
Back in China, the internet nearly collapsed under the traffic. Weibo, Tieba, Hupu, and other major sites struggled for hours. Even casual fans who rarely watched basketball joined the conversation. For once, the struggles of the national football team were pushed off the front pages.
On Twitter, McGrady's fans were in tears of joy. After years of disappointment, they finally had a moment to celebrate. Their hero had reminded everyone what he was capable of on the biggest stage.
Yet the celebration came with a bittersweet edge. McGrady had already decided this would be his final season. The fans had found their way home, only to learn the journey was almost over.
That night, New York was alive with celebration. James Dolan, never one to do things quietly, arranged a massive 10-minute fireworks display over the city skyline. Tourists and locals alike watched the sky light up in pure extravagance.
In Miami, LeBron James watched the highlights in silence, then returned to training with renewed fire. In Charlotte, Michael Jordan shook his head with a mix of respect and competitiveness. And in Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant's numerous alternate accounts worked overtime, though they were quickly overwhelmed.
Game 4 of the 2012-13 NBA Finals had delivered basketball at its absolute best. Now all eyes turned to Game 5. Would the series return to New York, or would the Knicks close it out in San Antonio?