Spurs' unlikely hero makes history in win against Knicks

San Antonio stormed to a commanding 28-point first-half lead, fueled by 13 points and seven rebounds from Mamukelashvili. He then erupted for 21 points in the fourth quarter, securing the win and etching his name into the record books.  

"I've been waiting for this day for a long time," Mamukelashvili said, via ESPN. "I just can't explain how I feel right now. I feel like I'm in a dream. I manifested and prayed for it. I just waited for this day. I really had an out of body experience for a little bit there. I was like, 'Is this really happening?'"

Stephon Castle contributed 22 points, while Chris Paul tallied 12 points and nine assists. Jeremy Sochan, returning to the starting lineup, added 10 points, six rebounds and three assists as the Spurs claimed their third win in the past eight games.  

The victory was arguably San Antonio’s most impressive of the season, considering the team has been without Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, both sidelined with season-ending injuries. The Spurs improved to 29-39, sitting 13th in the Western Conference.  

For New York, Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 32 points and nine rebounds. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges each added 14 points, while Mitchell Robinson recorded a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double in just his ninth game back from injury.  

The Knicks, now 3-3 since losing Jalen Brunson to injury, dropped to 43-25 on the season. They remain in third place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Boston Celtics by 6.5 games but maintaining a four-game cushion over the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers.