In a Christmas Day spectacle at Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks edged out the San Antonio Spurs 117-114, in a game that featured sensational performances from Mikal Bridges and Victor Wembanyama.
Bridges lit up the court for the Knicks, scoring an impressive 41 points on an efficient 17-of-25 shooting, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. His scoring spree was the second-highest in a year-end game for the franchise, only behind Bernard King’s legendary 60-point game in 1984.
On the other side, the Spurs’ rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama put on a show of his own, dropping a monstrous double-double with 42 points and 18 rebounds. Shooting 16-of-31 from the field, Wembanyama also added four assists, one steal, and four blocks to his stat line. His 42-point outburst set a new franchise record for scoring on Christmas Day and ranks third all-time for players making their debut on this festive occasion.
The duel between Bridges and Wembanyama marked only the third time in NBA history that two players scored over 40 points on Christmas Day, adding a historical touch to an already thrilling game.
Wembanyama dominated the first half, showcasing his versatility with shots from downtown and powerful dunks in the paint, leading the Spurs to a 58-51 advantage at halftime. However, his shooting touch waned in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter, where his last successful basket came with 7:44 remaining, giving the Spurs a 99-94 lead.
Bridges seized the momentum in the second half, scoring 16 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter alone. He combined with teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, who faced early foul trouble but contributed significantly when on the floor, to outpace the Spurs. A crucial screen-and-roll play between Bridges and Towns resulted in a clutch jumper over Chris Paul and Wembanyama, extending the Knicks’ lead to 116-111 with just over a minute to play.
Despite a late three-pointer from Paul that narrowed the gap to 117-114, the Knicks held firm. Jalen Brunson missed a potential game-sealing shot, but Josh Hart’s tenacity on the offensive glass secured two pivotal rebounds, ensuring the victory stayed in New York.
The game was a showcase of emerging talent and clutch performances, leaving fans excited for what’s to come from these young stars.
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Mikal Bridges makes Victor Wembanyama's record night less sweet
cgtn.com
