As the ultimate seconds of 2025 ticked away, the San Antonio Spurs delivered a end worthy of New Yr’s Eve, rallying from a 19-point deficit to stun the New York Knicks 134–132 on Wednesday night time at Frost Financial institution Middle. Utilizing a relentless second-half surge and stable execution within the last minutes, the Spurs fought again in a sport that appeared to be slipping away and closed the yr with one in all their most thrilling wins of the season.
New York managed a lot of the night time, constructing a snug lead behind Jalen Brunson’s 29-point night time in addition to a balanced offensive assault. They pushed the tempo early and took benefit of San Antonio turnovers, getting into halftime with momentum and lengthening the benefit into the third quarter.
Victor Wembanyama stored the Spurs inside putting distance, pouring in 31 factors and 13 rebounds by means of three quarters. However the night time took a tense flip early within the fourth when Wembanyama exited after touchdown awkwardly on his left leg, leaving San Antonio with out its star for the ultimate stretch. Nonetheless, as a substitute of fading, the Spurs surged.
“I believed we weren’t excellent for lots of stretches,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson mentioned. “The aggressive response and the power we have been placing as the sport went on into the fitting areas, we felt it. That crew [Knicks] could be very bodily and aggressive. If you happen to don’t match that together with sharp execution, they’ll systematically put on you down at occasions…. I used to be extraordinarily pleased with the blokes that stepped up tonight, particularly that group within the fourth quarter.”
Julian Champagnie was big motive for the win, erupting for a profession night time and ending with 36 factors and making a franchise file 11 three-pointers. De’Aaron Fox added 26 factors and 7 assists, spearheading a livid comeback. San Antonio tightened defensively, compelled New York into errors, and steadily chipped away as the gang sensed a late-night rally brewing.
“I simply hold taking pictures the basketball,” a smiling Champagnie instructed reporters after the sport. “Basketball gods, that’s what Coach Pop at all times mentioned. Coming into the sport, I instructed myself to sit back and shoot the ball.”
The Spurs lastly pulled even within the closing minutes earlier than taking the lead in a frantic last moments of the sport. A key offensive rebound and putback by Luke Kornet swung momentum, and Keldon Johnson delivered beneath stress, flattening two crucial free throws after drawing a loose-ball foul. That play resulted in Knicks large man Karl-Anthony Cities fouling out, eradicating a key paint presence in crunch time.
New York had one final probability to spoil the celebration, however San Antonio held on because the buzzer sounded, setting off a roar that felt as very similar to a countdown to the brand new yr as a victory.
Johnson completed with 19 factors and eight rebounds, offering regular manufacturing all through, whereas the Spurs’ resilience outlined the night time greater than any single stat. As followers headed towards their New Yr’s Eve celebrations and the clock approaching midnight, the Spurs closed the calendar yr with an announcement — a reminder that no lead is protected and that generally one of the best ways to welcome a brand new yr is with a comeback value remembering.
“This wasn’t a sport that was given to us. We needed to go get it,” Wembanyama mentioned. “Julian was superb. To see the power from Keldon on the finish and to see the followers behind us, it was fairly cool.”
