In a nationally televised broadcast, the Knicks (39*-22) hosted the Spurs (43-17*) for a 1 0’clock matinee today. San Antonio came into the game as the league’s hottest team, having won 11 consecutive games. Would New York be intimidated? They would not. After a low-scoring, poor-shooting first quarter, the Knicks hit the jets. Powered by Jalen Brunson (24 PTS), Mikal Bridges (25 PTS, 5 STL), and a defensive effort that held the Spurs to their fewest points of the season, the Knicks won handily, 114-89.
TomRogerAstro says, “Look at the box score! Knicks got 97 shots to their 77!” Yessir! That’s what happens when you out-rebound a team 54-41.
This masterclass had a less than promising beginning. To start the first quarter, the Knicks flailed about while the Spurs started strong. The guests opened with a 12-5 run, powered by Victor Wembanyama (25 PTS, 13 RBS) thundering in the paint, Devin Vassell (18 PTS) creating havoc on both ends, and De’Aaron Fox (7 PTS, 6 AST) pushing the tempo. Not a great first impression for our heroes.
Out of a timeout, the Knicks ran two plays for Karl-Anthony Towns (12 PTS, 14 RBS) to attack the lane—one successful, one not. Searching elsewhere for a spark, coach Mike Brown soon replaced Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Towns with Landry Shamet (7 PTS), Mohamed Diawara (14 PTS, 4 RBS, 4-of-13 3PT), and Mitchell Robinson (4 PTS, 5 RBS, 1 BLK). By the 1:30 mark, though, New York trailed 21-14. Then Dylan Harper flagrantly violated Brunson’s landing zone and ignited the Burner! Jalen converted 2-of-3 free throws, followed by a floater-and-one, and capped his run with a 25-footer. J.B. finished the frame with 11 points, the sole Knick with more than two so far. Despite hitting 8-of-23 from the field and 2-of-9 from deep, New York won the quarter 22-21. Jalen finished the game with 24 points on 7-of-16 shooting, plus seven assists.
That marked New York’s lowest-scoring first quarter since their March 6 game in Detroit, when they managed just 17 points. Although that sounds worrisome, consider that San Antonio’s 21 was their second-lowest Q1 total of the season. It’s safe to say that both teams took a while to loosen up for the early tip-off.
Once they found their footing, the Knicks went kaboom. They rode a 34-6 run from the end of the first quarter into the second, building a 14-point lead by midway through Q2. Stunned? Me, too. Bridges set the tone with a steal-and-score, a transition finish, and a three-pointer, while KAT hit the glass, scored inside, and facilitated from the post. New York’s defense tightened, too, generating multiple forced turnovers, deflections, and steals.
San Antonio responded by cranking up their ball pressure, creating a few steals and deflections. Once Wembanyama returned from a break, he stretched the floor with a pull-up three and finished at the rim. Still, his squad’s poor shooting and rebounding kept them on their heels, and by halftime, New York led 51-41.
That was the lowest-scoring first-half the season for San Antonio. The home team had shot better overall (43% to 37%), were slightly more effective from three (30% to 26%), and dominated the glass 27-20. Further, they had a 22-16 advantage in the paint and 14 fast-break points. Brunson led all first-half scorers with 16; Wemby had 13 for the Texans.
In the locker room, the Spurs revised their game plan: more double-teams and more touches for Wembanyama. The strategy produced mixed results. San Antonio chipped away at the deficit, but a Nova-themed response from Brunson, Josh Hart, and Bridges forced the lead back into double-digits.
Indeed, for every Spurs punch, there came a Knicks counterpunch. After Fox hit a three to trim it to 61–51, Bridges answered with a three of his own, and Towns threw down a thunderous transition dunk. Vassell and Wembanyama shouldered most of the visitors’ offensive load, while Mitchell Robinson continued to bully their frontcourt.
And here’s our man, Mo!
San Antonio stayed competitive behind Wembanyama—a backdoor layup, a late dunk—plus a Barnes three near the buzzer. But Bridges was on a heater and carrying the Knicks. Mikal poured in more buckets, stole more steals, and refused to be contained.
With five seconds left in the quarter, Jose Alvarado made a free throw. On the ensuing inbound, Wembanyama inexplicably passed the ball directly to the Spurs bench for his sixth turnover of the game—a moment that seemed to encapsulate San Antonio’s afternoon. Heading into the fourth, the Knicks led 80–69.
The Knicks opened the final frame on a 17-9 run. Diawara hit a three and a midrange jumper, Anunoby drilled a three, and Towns controlled the glass with a putback and two free throws. San Antonio still struggled to convert on offense, and Bridges picked their pocket for another score. Their advantage reached 16, and then 22 by mid-frame, as all of the Knicks got in on the scoring bonanza. From there, it was all maintenance. With two-ish minutes remaining, Mike Brown sent in the reserves and gave the main guys a well-deserved rest. Mark this one as a contender for game of the year, fans.
On to Toronto for a tilt on Tuesday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.
* Should be one more. Write your congressperson about it.
