On Wednesday, Mikal Bridges scored a season-high 41 points and the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 in a monster Christmas debut, beating Victor Wembaneyama's 42 points.
Wenbanyama set the Spurs' scoring record during the holiday season with 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots. This week's Western Conference Most Valuable Player made six 3-pointers.
However, Bridges made 17 of 25 from the field and 6 of 9 from behind the basket, confirming that the Knicks have enough offense to win their fifth straight game and improve to 20-10. did.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Jalen Brunson had 20 points. Josh Hart had 12 points, 12 boards and six assists.
Jeremy Sochan had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs.
San Antonio had a chance to pull off a great win, but they gave up 17 offensive rebounds, couldn't get the ball in their hands at the end, and Hart made two mistakes in the final 30 minutes as time expired. It became.
In his first season with the Knicks, Bridges has been called upon more often to play defense than offense, but on Wednesday he reminded everyone just how good he can be with the ball in his hands. .
The Spurs got within one point with two minutes left on Chris Paul's two free throws, but Bridges hit back-to-back jumpers with 1:18 left to take a five-point lead.
Wenbanyama broke Spurs' scoring record at Christmas. LaMarcus Aldridge had 33 in 2016.
The Spurs remain in New York to visit Brooklyn on Friday, and the Knicks visit Orlando on Friday.
