Knicks Hold Spurs to Shocking Season-Low Numbers

There have been a lot of differing opinions shared about the New York Knicks, who have looked like a championship contender at times during the regular season.

While not everyone is sold on them being able to win a championship, they certainly quieted some doubters with their most recent performance against the San Antonio Spurs. They defeated the Western Conference contenders for the second time, first officially, this season, 114-89 at Madison Square Garden.

The first win over the Spurs didn’t count toward their record, coming in the NBA Cup championship. However, this one counts, and the Knicks' defense came to play, holding San Antonio to some season-worst statistics.

As shared by ESPN Insights, the 89 points the Spurs scored are their lowest offensive output this season. They shot 32 of 77 from the field overall, being held to 41.5% shooting while turning the ball over 22 times.

Knicks' defense stifled Spurs like no one this season

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper driving to basket against New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson. — Mar 1, 2026; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) and center Mitchell Robinson (23) and forward Mohamed Diawara (51) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It snapped their 11-game winning streak, while a 25-point deficit is the largest that San Antonio has lost by this campaign.

The biggest change for New York was its 3-point defense. In a shocking loss on New Year’s Eve, when the Knicks blew a 19-point lead, the Spurs made 14 of 38 3-point attempts, led by Julian Champagnie, who knocked down 11 out of 17 himself.

The Spurs scored a season-low 89 points, snapping their 11-game win streak.

The 25-point defeat was their largest loss of the season. https://t.co/NwX2RKUG4p
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 1, 2026

This time around, Champagnie was 1 of 3 from long range. As a team, the Spurs shot 9 of 34 from beyond the arc, having one major component of their offensive attack stifled.

What helped New York set the tone was a dominant stretch in the first half between the first and second quarters. Jalen Brunson caught fire near the end of the first stanza, taking full advantage of Stephon Castle heading to the bench for a rest.

His teammates would build on that positive momentum, putting together what ended up being a 26-2 run that included a 19-0 stretch for the Knicks. ESPN Insights shared that it is the longest unanswered streak an opponent has had against San Antonio this season.

KNICKS COOKIN' EARLY VS. SPURS 🤯

The Knicks went on a 26-2 run, highlighted by a 19-0 stretch — the longest unanswered run allowed by San Antonio this season 👀 pic.twitter.com/zvzkwCv7SN
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) March 1, 2026

It was a game completed dominated by New York regardless of who was on the court. Thirteen Knicks players received minutes in the game, and none of them had a plus/minus ratio that was negative.

It was the exact opposite for San Antonio. All 14 players who got into the game had a negative plus/minus ratio, with the best mark being recorded by Devin Vassell, who was -2 in 35 minutes of action.

New York certainly has what it takes to perform at a high level against upper-echelon competition; they just have to find that level more consistently.

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