An epic performance from Spurs big man Victor Wembaneyama and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson capped off an instant classic Friday night in San Antonio.
Brunson scored a career-high 61 points on 25-of-47 shooting, but the Spurs won 130-126 in overtime behind Wenbanyama's 40 points, 20 rebounds, and 7 assists.
The Spurs led 104-91 early in the fourth, but a 15-3 Knicks run cut the gap to one point. From there it was a back-and-forth race with Wenbanyama and Branson in the lead.
New York ended up leading 119-117, but Wenbanyama answered with a bucket. Brunson then hit a hit of his own to take a 121-119 lead.
Wenbanyama made two huge free throws to tie the game at 121 with 24 seconds left. Knicks guard Myles McBride tried to give New York the win with a sleeper, but the game went to OT.
Once there, Wenbanyama scored two big buckets. A putback put the Spurs ahead 125-121 with a layup, and a huge three-pointer put San Antonio ahead 128-124.
Before the final Wemby bucket, Brunson surpassed the 60-point mark with big shots such as;
The drama didn't end until the final seconds. With the Knicks trailing 128-126, Brunson tried to make a three-shot in the final minutes, but couldn't connect. The Knicks fumbled the ball wide, Tre Jones made two free throws, and the Spurs won by four points.
Simply put, Wenbanyama and Brunson put on a masterclass performance that caught the attention of fellow players, fans, and analysts alike.
The Knicks won't have much time to rest, as the second-place Oklahoma City Thunder roll into town on Sunday night. The Spurs will host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on the same day.
