Spurs Vs Knicks: Knicks Stifle Streaking Spurs, End 11-Game Run with Decisive 114-89 Win

The latest spurs vs knicks encounter ended the San Antonio Spurs' 11-game winning streak as New York delivered a dominant defensive performance that flipped the contest at Madison Square Garden, producing a 114-89 final that matters for standings momentum and upcoming scheduling for both teams.

Spurs Vs Knicks: Knicks stifle streaking Spurs with 'high-level' defense

San Antonio began the game appearing headed toward a 12th consecutive win, jumping to a 19-7 lead in the first quarter on a Stephon Castle 3-pointer with 4: 56 remaining in the frame. The momentum reversed dramatically when Jalen Brunson scored New York's final 11 points of the first, capped by a 3 that launched a 26-2 Knicks run. That run concluded with Mikal Bridges finishing a fast-break dunk after a Victor Wembanyama miss, producing a 33-21 advantage for New York.

Flow of the game: runs, adjustments and late surge

San Antonio cut the deficit by scoring the final five points of the first half to make it 51-41, and trimmed the margin to eight to open the third quarter. Each time the Spurs sought a rally, the Knicks answered to maintain a double-digit lead. Playing the fourth game of a five-game road trip, the Spurs appeared to run out of fuel in the fourth quarter; New York opened the period with a 17-6 run and a Landry Shamet 3-pointer pushed the score to 104-82 with 3: 37 remaining. After that stretch, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson removed his starters and emptied the bench as the game finished 114-89 in favor of the Knicks.

Key performers and decisive stat lines

• Mikal Bridges led New York with 25 points, hitting 5-of-9 from three, and added 5 rebounds and 5 steals.
• Jalen Brunson contributed 24 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists, including the late first-quarter burst that started the Knicks' control of the game.
• Mohamed Diawara provided a surprise bench spark with 14 points while attempting many threes (4-of-13 from deep).
• Victor Wembanyama finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, and his presence altered shots and play around the rim.
• Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 18 points and 7 rebounds; Castle was the only other San Antonio player to reach double figures.
• Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby each scored 12 points; Towns also grabbed 14 rebounds but struggled against Wembanyama near the basket.

Three-point shooting, a recent strength for San Antonio during its streak, was a weakness in this game: the Spurs connected on only 9-of-34 from long range (26%), and Vassell was the only Spur to make more than one three (3-of-9).

Standings impact and what comes next

The victory improved the Knicks' record to 39-22, keeping them close to the Boston Celtics (39-22 going into their Sunday night matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers) for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. New York has won four of its last five games and 14 of its past 18. The Knicks are scheduled to face the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday, with matchups versus the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets later in the week.

The Spurs, who had gone undefeated in February, began March with this loss. San Antonio will finish its Eastern road trip on Tuesday versus the Philadelphia 76ers and then open a six-game homestand against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons were the Spurs' opponent in a recent 114-103 victory, a win highlighted as one of the most impressive during the Spurs' 11-game run.