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Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer
SAN ANTONIO — Moments after the San Antonio Spurs defeated the New York Knicks 130-126 on Friday night, Victor Wembaneyama, elated with his first career three-game win in dramatic overtime, held a basketball in the stands. I threw it in.
The ball boy working on the Knicks bench sprinted to retrieve it from the fan who had received it. That's because it was a precious memento from an instant classic match.
Wembaneyama scored a career-high 40 points and 20 rebounds against Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson scored 61 points, the second-highest scoring game in Knicks history behind Carmelo Anthony's 62 points against the Charlotte Bobcats in 2014.
Wenbanyama is the seventh player to score 60 points in a game, saying, “I've never seen anything like this before this season…I've seen so much greatness that I want to be a part of it.'' He said this while playing against Brunson. This season's games.
“I always wanted to do that, but more and more they are already able to compete with them. I'm not close to (them), but I'm on the right path. I know it, and I'm going to get there.''It's almost there.'' ”
According to research by ESPN Stats & Information, this is only the second time in NBA history that one player had a 40-point, 20-rebound game while another had a 60-point game. Another example was 1961, when Elgin Baylor had 63 points and Wilt Chamberlain had 78 points and 43 rebounds.
Brunson scored 38 points in the second half, tying Patrick Ewing in 1995 for the most points in a first half in Knicks history, leading the Knicks to a 21-point comeback. He made 25-of-47 shots, the most he's taken in an NBA game since Kobe Bryant's famous farewell game in 2016. Brunson's previous career high was 50 points on Dec. 15 against the Phoenix Suns.
The Knicks took advantage of the Spurs' main defender Jeremy Sochan being sidelined with an ankle injury, repeatedly spacing out the floor and completely isolating Brunson. He also attacked Wenbanyama in pick-and-rolls and hit jumpers one after another from midrange.
At one point in the third quarter, he found himself one-on-one with top key Wenbanyama. He moved to the left and tucked his feet into the floor to prevent Wenbanyama from flying backwards when he lost his position. After hitting the jumper, he pumped his fist and enjoyed the moment.
“He's going to be one of the greatest players in the game,” Brunson said. “The way he's built up and what he's accomplished so far. So I have a lot of respect for him and it's definitely going to be hard to get past him.”
Brunson wasn't in the mood to reflect on his performance much, frustrated that the Knicks lost to the team with the worst record in the Western Conference. He made just 1-of-5 shots in overtime, but a Spurs double-team forced him to pass to Miles McBride near the end of regulation, but McBride didn't miss the buzzer.
Wenbanyama scored five points with two rebounds and a steal in the overtime period. He also had 13 points and six rebounds in the fourth quarter, helping the Spurs repel Brunson's attack.
“I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Brunson and Wembaneyama's stat lines. “This just shows what (Wenbanyama) can be when he understands all the physicality that is thrown at him all the time and what to do about it. Fortunately, he is very He's also an instinctive passer and he's willing to do what he needs to do. So he's pretty special.”
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was on the umpires throughout the game, and Brunson was frustrated that despite a ton of drives to the basketball, he only made six free throw attempts. The Spurs led 32-12 in free throws, with Wembaneyama making 12 of his own and 10, including the two that tied the game at the end of the fourth quarter.
“A foul is a foul,” Thibodeau said. “I don't know what else I can do or say. It's obvious. It's really that simple.”
In addition to Anthony, Bernard King famously scored 60 points against the New Jersey Nets on Christmas Day 1984, making him one of only three Knicks players to score 60 or more points in a single game. — Branson was depressed when asked if he had time to consider that.
“When I retire.”
