The Spurs positive love internet hosting the Knicks in March. Final season on March 29, Victor Wembanyama had a 40-20 sport to assist outlast Jalen Brunson’s 61-point effort for an exciting extra time win. This yr, each stars have been out for the sport, nevertheless it was nonetheless simply as enjoyable. The Spurs acquired out massive within the first half, main by as a lot as 28, then held on within the second, countering a 32-point outing from Karl-Anthony Cities with a career-high 34 factors on 13-14 taking pictures, 7-7 from three, from none apart from Sandro Mamukelashvili for the 120-105 win.
KAT scored the primary 9 factors for the Knicks, however the Spurs had responses every time earlier than pulling forward, with Harrison Barnes scoring 10 of their first 15 factors. Quickly, the Spurs had gone on a 16-1 run to stand up 23-10 as Chris Paul scored 8 straight factors himself. The offense went a bit of chilly because the bench got here in, however the Spurs nonetheless led 29-20 on the finish of the quarter because of holding the Knicks to only 27% taking pictures, with Mitchell Robinson being the one different Knick to attain a area purpose moreover KAT, who had 13 factors.
KAT was nonetheless scorching to begin the second quarter, scoring the Knicks first 8 factors, together with 2 free throws for 2 three-second violations on the identical possession (thanks, Ed Malloy), however Blake Wesley and Mamu introduced some vitality to assist preserve the Spurs forward. After the Knicks had gotten inside 4 at 31-35, the Spurs exploded for a 23-2 run, together with 8 straight factors from Mamu with two threes and a dunk. At one level, KAT damage his hand and tried to robust it out after briefly leaving to get it taped, and after main by as a lot as 28, the Spurs have been up 67-43 on the break.
Stephon Fortress, who quietly had 12 factors within the first half, scored the Spurs’ first 5 factors of the second half, however in any other case the Spurs struggled to attain and care for the ball whereas the Knicks had been on a 22-6 run by halfway by way of the third quarter (or what now we have come to know because the turd quarter). Luckily, the Spurs wakened after a timeout, upping their defensive effort and scoring the following 10 factors to get the lead again to 18. The Knicks then scored the ultimate seven to finish the streaky quarter with the Spurs up 83-75.
Then, it was Mamu Mania once more to begin the fourth quarter with a driving layup and and-1 in transition for his or her first 5 factors earlier than aiding Fortress for a protracted three to get the lead again to 18. The Knicks once more responded with a 10-0 run whereas the Spurs went by way of one other sloppy stretch, nevertheless it was Mamu to the rescue as soon as once more with two straight threes and discovering Sochan extensive open below the basket after he attracted the entire Knicks’ defenders. The lead continued to hover round 10 for some time earlier than the Spurs lastly busted the sport open with a Keldon Johnson banked in a 3 and little extra Mamu Mania to seal the deal in one of many extra enjoyable video games of the season.
Recreation Notes
Jeremy Sochan acquired the beginning over Bismack Biyombo, and it appeared just like the plan was for him to remain on KAT, whether or not it was down within the put up or out on the perimeter. On the uncommon events that Cities subbed in when Sochan was out, Mitch Johnson subbed him again in. Clearly Sochan just isn’t a pure middle and may solely grasp a lot with a participant of KAT’s dimension and skill, however he did about in addition to may have been anticipated, and since the Spurs have been in a position to restrict everybody else, his massive scoring sport had much less impression. It is going to be fascinating to see if Sochan continues to begin going ahead (my vote can be sure), or if this was purely a match-up transfer.
This sport was extra consistent with what the Spurs wish to see from Blake Wesley. Though he was solely 2-5 from the sphere for six factors, he was the spark plug the Spurs want on protection with three massive steals. He additionally had 2 rebounds and three assists (to only 1 turnover) in 16 minutes for a properly rounded night time the place the positives far out-weighed the few negatives.
All 5 scorers scored in double-digits, led by Fortress’s 22 factors. Whereas the opposite 4 “solely” mixed for 43 factors, all of them had their moments of contribution. Barnes and Paul carried the Spurs within the first quarter, Sochan did a bit of of every little thing on each ends in 38 minutes of motion, and whereas Devin Vassell didn’t have an important taking pictures night time, he continued his good stretch of play on protection and acquired well timed buckets when the Spurs wanted it (earlier than rightfully deferring to the pink scorching Mamu late). The extra balanced the Spurs’ assault, the higher off they’re.
Simply going to go away this right here, and thoughts you, this was all in simply 19 minutes of motion:
Now the one participant in NBA historical past to have a sport with 30+ factors, 8+ rebounds and 5+ three-pointers whereas taking pictures 90% from the ground:
Sandro Mamukelashvili
— Jordan Howenstine (@AirlessJordan) March 20, 2025
Play of the Recreation
You’ll be able to choose virtually any Mamu play, however we’ll go along with this pump pretend from three and drive for the dunk, which helped spark the Spurs within the fourth quarter whereas kicking off a 16-point quarter for him, assuring they weren’t going to blow this one.
Up subsequent: Friday vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Spurs may have an excellent probability at two in a row in opposition to a tanking 76ers squad that has shut down its stars (and can lose their choose to OKC if it doesn’t fall within the prime 6). Tip-off will probably be at 7:00 PM CT on FanDuel Sports activities.
