The New York Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-89 at Madison Square Garden on March 1 to snap San Antonio’s 11-game winning streak, forcing 22 turnovers and holding the Spurs to 26.5% from three-point range. Mikal Bridges scored 25 points with five rebounds and five steals, and Jalen Brunson added 24 points and seven assists as New York won its 14th game in 18 outings.
“I think it’s just another example of where we can be defensively,” Josh Hart said. The 89 points were the lowest total of the season for San Antonio, and the Knicks held Victor Wembanyama to seven turnovers despite his 25-point scoring line.
Knicks climbed to fifth in defensive rating and held Wembanyama to seven turnovers
The defensive performance reflected a broader trend rather than a single-game outlier. The Knicks have risen to fifth in defensive rating at 107 points allowed per 100 possessions, a significant improvement over the past month. Head coach Mike Brown credited the collective effort: “We had five guys on a string.”
The 22 forced turnovers disrupted San Antonio’s offensive rhythm throughout the game, and the 26.5% three-point shooting from the Spurs showed how effectively New York contested shots on the perimeter. Wembanyama’s seven turnovers were the clearest indicator of the defensive pressure — he scored 25 but was never able to operate comfortably against the Knicks’ rotations and ball pressure.
Bridges and Brunson combine for 49 points as Knicks win 14th of last 18 games
Bridges’ 10-of-17 shooting night with five steals gave the Knicks production on both ends from the wing position, and Brunson’s 24 points and seven assists provided the offensive steadiness that allowed New York to pull away. The two combined for 49 points in a game where the Knicks did not need a third scorer to reach 30 because the defensive effort created enough easy transition opportunities to keep the margin wide.
The 14-4 stretch over the last 18 games has solidified the Knicks’ standing in the Eastern Conference and built the defensive identity that Brown has prioritized since taking over. Only three teams in the last decade have ended a double-digit winning streak by the margin the Knicks produced, which underscores both the quality of the opponent and the level at which New York performed. Hart’s postgame comments framed the game as a reference point for what the Knicks can sustain rather than a peak they are trying to reach — a distinction that matters as the playoff picture takes shape.