Knicks rout Spurs 114-89 at Madison Square Garden, snapping San Antonio’s 11-game winning streak

New York’s defense and rebounding tilt a nationally televised matchup

The San Antonio Spurs’ 11-game winning streak ended Sunday, March 1, with a 114-89 loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. San Antonio entered the afternoon at 43-16 after going undefeated in February, while New York improved its Eastern Conference positioning with a wire-to-wire second-quarter surge that turned a close game into a comfortable win.

The decisive stretch came across the late first quarter and early second. After a low-scoring opening period, the Knicks rattled off an extended run that flipped the game’s rhythm and forced San Antonio into a half-court grind. New York’s pressure produced turnovers, disrupted passing lanes and limited clean looks, while its physicality on the glass created extra possessions that widened the margin.

Key performers and matchup dynamics

Mikal Bridges scored 25 points and added five steals to lead New York’s two-way effort. Jalen Brunson had 24 points and seven assists, guiding the Knicks through the game’s most productive offensive segments and helping them capitalize on Spurs mistakes. Karl-Anthony Towns added a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring New York’s work on the boards.

For San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds, and Devin Vassell added 18 points. The Spurs, who had averaged well above 120 points during their February run, struggled to generate sustained offense against New York’s set defense once the game swung in the Knicks’ favor.

San Antonio’s February surge ended with its lowest-scoring output of the season, a reflection of New York’s ability to control tempo, force difficult shots and win possession battles.

What changed from the Spurs’ February form

San Antonio’s 11-0 February featured strong scoring balance and efficient shooting, but Sunday’s matchup emphasized the importance of possession control against playoff-level defenses. New York’s edge in rebounding and shot volume—driven by forced turnovers, second-chance opportunities and trips that ended with quality attempts—created separation that San Antonio could not erase.

• New York forced turnovers and converted them into transition chances.
• The Knicks’ rebounding advantage helped produce more shot attempts overall.
• San Antonio’s offense bogged down after the first-quarter lead, limiting its ability to match runs.

The result also reset the tone of San Antonio’s road trip as the Spurs move forward in a tight Western Conference race. For the Knicks, the win reinforced their ability to dictate games at home against top-tier opponents, especially when their perimeter pressure and rebounding are synchronized.