Story by
Spurs fans want Mitch Johnson fired after historic Game 4 collapse vs. Knicks
- Story by
- Spurs fans want Mitch Johnson fired after historic Game 4 collapse vs. Knicks
Spurs fans want Mitch Johnson fired after historic Game 4 collapse vs. Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The San Antonio Spurs entered Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals with an opportunity to even the series and seize momentum from the New York Knicks . Instead, they suffered one of the most devastating defeats in franchise history. After building a commanding 29-point lead in the third quarter, the Spurs watched the advantage disappear in a stunning 107-106 loss . It gave New York a commanding 3-1 series lead. The collapse immediately sparked outrage across social media. Many frustrated fans directed their anger toward head coach Mitch Johnson .
Advertisement
Critics pointed to San Antonio 's inability to halt New York's momentum, questioning Johnson's timeout management, late-game adjustments, and rotational decisions. The Knicks stormed back behind 36 points from Jalen Brunson and a playoff career-high 33 from OG Anunoby . After drilling an NBA Finals-record 14 first-half three-pointers and carrying a 76-49 halftime lead, the Spurs looked poised to cruise to victory. However, their offense stalled in the second half. They connected on just three of 17 attempts from beyond the arc while struggling to handle New York's increased defensive pressure.
The decisive moment came when Anunoby followed a missed Brunson shot and tipped in the game-winner with 1.2 seconds remaining. Sure, Johnson remains highly respected within the organization. However, the historic nature of the collapse has intensified scrutiny at the worst possible time.
The criticism comes despite what has otherwise been a remarkable coaching rise for Johnson. He joined former head coach Gregg Popovich's staff in 2019 and later became the franchise's permanent head coach in 2025. In his first full season, Johnson guided San Antonio to a 62-20 record. He earned All-Star Game coaching honors and led the Spurs to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014. Nevertheless, Game 4's collapse has suddenly placed his decision-making under an unforgiving spotlight.
Advertisement
Related: Spurs' De'Aaron Fox gets 'stupid things' review from Stanley Cup Final coach
