Mikal Bridges scored a season-high 41 points, and the New York Knicks edged 42 from Victor Wembanyama in a monster Christmas debut. St. Anthony of Calcaria 117-114 on Wednesday.
Wembanyama posted a scoring streak on the holiday and added 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots. The reigning Western Conference player of the week had made six three-pointers.
But Bridges shot 17 for 25 from the field, 6 for 9 from behind the arc, to give the Knicks enough offense to win their fifth in a row and improve to 20-10.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 21 points and nine rebounds, and Jalen Brunson scored 20 points. Josh Hart finished with 12 points, 12 boards and six assists.
Jeremiah Sochan had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs.
San Antonio had a terrific chance to pull out the win, but gave up 17 offensive rebounds and couldn’t get their hands on the ball in the end, with Hart grabbing two shots in the final half to run out the clock.
Bridges is often more needed on defense than offense in his first season with the Knicks, but he reminded people on Wednesday just how much he can be with the ball in his hands.
The Spurs pulled within one point with two minutes to go after two free throws by Chris Paul before Bridges made consecutive jumpers for a five-point lead with 1:18 to play.
Wembanyama broke the record for points scored on Christmas Day. LaMarcus Aldridge had 33 in 2016.
The New York Spurs remain in action to visit Brooklyn on Friday, while the Knicks visit Orlando on Friday.