The New York Knicks are no strangers to playing on Christmas Day, but few of their holiday games have come with the anticipation that accompanies Wednesday’s clash against the San Antonio Spurs. This year’s matchup promises to be a thrilling contest, with the Knicks looking to stay hot and second-year Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama making his second career appearance at Madison Square Garden.
Both teams were off Tuesday after playing on Monday night. The Knicks secured a dominant 139-125 victory over the visiting Toronto Raptors, while the Spurs’ late comeback fell short in a 111-106 loss to the host Philadelphia 76ers.
The Knicks have been on a roll, winning four straight games and going 9-2 since Nov. 29 to move into third place in the Eastern Conference. The recent success is a testament to the new mix of players gelling together. Karl-Anthony Towns, acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 2, and OG Anunoby both scored 31 points on Monday night, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility. Anunoby became the fifth different player in the last 11 games to at least share the team lead in scoring, highlighting the balanced offensive attack.
On the other side, few players in the NBA are as talented as Wembanyama. The versatile 7-foot-3 star has already collected three triple-doubles in 95 NBA games and earned Western Conference Player of the Week honors last week. Wembanyama finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, and eight blocks on Monday, demonstrating his all-around game. Despite the loss, the Spurs have been competitive, winning four of their last six games and staying in the hunt for a playoff spot.
Wembanyama struggled in his first game in New York on Nov. 8, 2023, but his breakout performance against the Knicks in San Antonio on March 29 has increased the intrigue surrounding this Christmas meeting. The Knicks will look to contain the young star and extend their winning streak.
The Knicks will be playing on Christmas Day for the fourth straight season and an NBA-high 57th time overall. They improved to 24-32 on the holiday last Dec. 25 with a 129-122 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Spurs, meanwhile, are playing on Christmas Day for the first time since 2016, when they beat the Chicago Bulls 119-100 to improve to 6-5 all-time on the holiday.
With both teams eager to make a statement, this Christmas Day showdown promises to be an exciting and memorable game. Will the Knicks continue their hot streak, or will Wembanyama and the Spurs spoil the holiday festivities at Madison Square Garden? Stay tuned to find out!
