- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Knicks Stifle Wembanyama in Surprise Defensive Masterclass
New York's length and physicality prove too much for the Spurs' superstar rookie in key late-season matchup.
Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:23pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The New York Knicks pulled off a surprise defensive masterclass against NBA MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, holding the towering French phenom to just 25 points on 8-of-17 shooting in a key late-season matchup. Led by the physical play of OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges, the Knicks' stifling defense forced Wembanyama into an uncharacteristically inefficient performance, including just 1-of-7 from 3-point range.
Why it matters
This game highlighted the Knicks' emergence as one of the NBA's elite defensive teams, capable of slowing down even the most dominant offensive players. It also raises questions about whether the Knicks could be a potential kryptonite for Wembanyama and the Spurs in a potential playoff matchup, given their ability to neutralize the young star's strengths.
The details
The Knicks' defensive game plan centered around bodying up Wembanyama, with Anunoby leading the charge in making life difficult for the Spurs' star. The Knicks' help defenders, including Hart and Alvarado, also did an effective job of surprising Wembanyama and disrupting his rhythm. While the 7'4" center was still able to make some plays around the rim, the Knicks forced him into several perimeter shots that he was unable to convert.
- The Knicks and Spurs faced off in a key late-season matchup on March 2, 2026.
- Wembanyama had previously torched the Knicks for 31 points in their final regular season meeting in 2025.
The players
Victor Wembanyama
The San Antonio Spurs' star rookie and leading MVP candidate, known for his dominant two-way play.
OG Anunoby
The Knicks' versatile wing defender who led the charge in slowing down Wembanyama.
Josh Hart
The Knicks' gritty guard who contributed to the team's defensive effort against Wembanyama.
Mikal Bridges
The Knicks' lengthy wing who used his wingspan to disrupt Wembanyama's passing and vision.
Karl-Anthony Towns
The Knicks' starting center who provided additional size and physicality to the team's defensive scheme.
What they’re saying
“We knew we had to bring our A-game defensively to slow down a talent like Wembanyama. Our guys really stepped up and made it tough on him all night.”
— Tom Thibodeau, Head Coach, New York Knicks
“Hats off to the Knicks, they really made me work for everything tonight. I'll learn from this experience and come back even stronger.”
— Victor Wembanyama
What’s next
The Knicks and Spurs could potentially meet in the playoffs, setting up an intriguing rematch between these two defensive-minded teams and their superstar players.
The takeaway
The Knicks' defensive masterclass against Wembanyama showcased their ability to neutralize even the NBA's most dominant offensive talents, cementing their status as one of the league's elite teams and raising the possibility of a deep playoff run.
