Knicks Rout Spurs, 114-89, in Dominant Performance

New York delivers a statement win over the Western Conference's No. 2 seed, showcasing their potential as NBA title contenders.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The New York Knicks put on a dominant performance, routing the San Antonio Spurs 114-89 at Madison Square Garden. Led by strong outings from Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks displayed the kind of cohesive, two-way play that has them looking like legitimate NBA title contenders. The win comes on the heels of an inconsistent stretch for the Knicks, highlighting the team's ability to rise to the occasion against top competition.

Why it matters

This victory over the Spurs serves as a barometer for the Knicks, who have shown flashes of brilliance but also struggled with inconsistency this season. The convincing win over a Western Conference powerhouse reinforces the Knicks' potential as a team that could make a deep playoff run and potentially challenge for the NBA championship.

The details

The Knicks jumped out to an early lead, with Jalen Brunson scoring 11 points in the first quarter to set the tone. A dominant defensive effort, led by a lineup of Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Mohamed Diawara, and Jose Alvarado, helped the Knicks build a double-digit advantage that they would never relinquish. Mikal Bridges erupted for a team-high 25 points, while Brunson added 24 points and four made 3-pointers. All five Knicks starters scored in double figures, showcasing the team's balanced offensive attack.

  • The Knicks hosted the Spurs on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at Madison Square Garden.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who scored 24 points and hit four 3-pointers in the win.

Mikal Bridges

The Knicks' starting small forward, who led the team with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' starting center, who contributed a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

De'Aaron Fox

The Spurs' starting point guard, who was held to just 7 points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' rookie sensation, who finished with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 blocks but also turned the ball over 7 times.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Knicks will travel to Toronto to face the Raptors before returning home to take on the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second leg of a back-to-back.

The takeaway

This dominant win over the Spurs showcases the Knicks' potential as a true NBA title contender, with their balanced scoring, stifling defense, and ability to rise to the occasion against top competition. If the Knicks can maintain this level of play, they could be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.