Jalen Brunson poured in 30 points and the New York Knicks pulled away in the final minutes to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95 on Wednesday night. The Knicks took the lead for good inside the final two minutes, turning a tight contest into a 10-point statement on the road.
The decisive moment
With the game hanging in the balance, New York grabbed the lead for good in the fourth quarter with 1:52 remaining. From there the Knicks closed the door, denying San Antonio a final push and converting down the stretch to secure the double-digit result.
By the numbers
- Jalen Brunson (NY): 30 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST
- Karl-Anthony Towns (NY): 18 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST
- Victor Wembanyama (SA): 26 PTS, 12 REB, 2 AST
- Stephon Castle (SA): 17 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST
- Final margin: 10 points (NY 105, SA 95)
Brunson carried the offensive load for New York, while Towns chipped in a double-double to control the glass alongside the backcourt scoring.
What it means
The win underscores New York's ability to grind out a road result against a young, talented San Antonio club. For the Spurs, Wembanyama's 26-and-12 line offered plenty of encouragement, but the supporting cast couldn't generate enough offense to overcome the Knicks in crunch time. San Antonio also navigated the night shorthanded, with Drew Eubanks, Keegan Murray and De'Andre Hunter all sidelined.
What to watch next
The Knicks will look to build on their late-game execution, while the Spurs will lean on Wembanyama and Castle to find more consistency in the fourth quarter. How San Antonio fills the gaps left by its injured rotation pieces will be a storyline worth tracking.