Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Spurs and Knicks meet for the final time this season

The New York Knicks came into this season with championship aspirations after an exciting but shorthanded playoff run last season that ended in a second round Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers. For the most part they’ve had a successful season, and only five teams have a better record than their own 43-24 campaign. However in spite of all that, there’s a belief that New York is a notch below teams like the Boston Celtics and the Oklahoma City Thunder when discussing the championship pecking order. They’ve been without their All Star guard and leader Jalen Brunson since March 6th due to an ankle injury, but have gone 3-2 in his absence.

The San Antonio Spurs meanwhile return home tonight after a quick trip to Los Angeles for a make-up game with the Lakers. The Silver and Black are slogging their way to the finish line, often finding themselves undermanned and outmatched. Still though they continue to compete and with the way things have gone since the All Star break, there’s not a whole lot else anyone could ask of them.

San Antonio Spurs (28-38) vs New York Knicks (43-24)

March 19 2025 | 7:00 PM CT

Watch: FDSS | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama, OUT, De’Aaron Fox, OUT, Charles Bassey, OUT

Knicks Injuries: Jalen Brunson, ankle (OUT), Mitchell Robinson, ankle (questionable)

What to watch for

Karl-Anthony Towns has had a career year his first season in the Big Apple. He’s slotted in perfectly as both a secondary scorer and a reliable pick and pop option with Brunson. Towns is shooting nearly 43% from downtown while also averaging a career-best 13 rebounds a game, a mark that ranks 2nd behind just Domantes Sabonis’ 13.9 boards a night.
The Knicks gave up five 1st round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets in the offseason. In many ways, it was viewed as New York taking a necessary step to improve their wing rotation and better match-up with Boston’s tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Bridges has had a really good year, the only Knick starter to appear in every game this season. His defensive versatility has been on display all season long, but his contributions on offense haven’t really wowed anybody this year. Against the Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, both of whom the Knicks have failed to beat this season, they’ll need him to be a reliable offensive option.

Chris Paul is on pace to play his most regular season games since he suited up in 70 contests his first year with the Phoenix Suns (2020-2021). Tonight will mark his 68th game of the season. Paul has failed to score in double figures in each of his last 7 games.
Josh Hart could really be considered the heart and soul of this Knicks team, setting the tone as an undersized rebounder, hustler, and as an aggressive and very willing defensive player. With Mitchell Robinson only just recently making his season debut, Hart has been plugged into Tom Thibadeau’s starting line-up for the entire year. On offense, he doesn’t have the most reliable jumper, but he’s willing to put his head down and drive to the cup or put the ball on the floor as a way set-up his teammates for good looks.