New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama faced off in a Christmas Day duel in the Knicks’ 117-114 victory on Wednesday.
Bridges scored 41 points, the most he has scored since the Knicks acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason.
With star center Karl-Anthony Towns in foul trouble, Bridges stepped up and scored 15 points in the fourth quarter alone.
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New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges gestures after making a three-point shot in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 25, 2024. (Wendell Cruz/Image Images)
Bridges shot 17 of 25 from the field, while shooting 6 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Wembanyama, 20, was sensational in defeat. The young Spurs star scored 42 points and grabbed 18 rebounds with four assists and four blocks. He also scored six three-pointers.
Wembanyama’s performance continued a string of good games after he was named Western Conference player of the week.
Knicks forward Josh Hart finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, but his last two rebounds were the most important.
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Victor Wembanyama (1) of the San Antonio Spurs commits to scoring a shot made by Josh Hart (3) of the New York Knicks during the first half on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Knicks were up by three points with 39 seconds left and the Spurs chose not to foul. Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson missed a 15-foot jumper, but Hart grabbed the rebound.
Then, with four seconds left, Knicks forward OG Anunoby missed a 3-pointer, but Hart went for the offensive rebound again and the Knicks ran out of time.
Towns scored 21 points with nine rebounds, while Brunson added 20 points in the win.
Mikal Bridges, center, of the New York Knicks, takes a shot during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
With the victory, the Knicks won their fifth straight game and improved to 20-10.
The Knicks will face the Orlando Magic on Friday.
With the loss, the Spurs fell to 15-15 and their next game is Friday against the Nets.
