The upcoming game between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs on March 19, 2025, at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio is an intriguing matchup featuring a team vying for a top seed in the Eastern Conference and another trying to find consistency in a rebuilding season. The Knicks, sitting at 43-24, have solidified themselves as one of the most complete teams in the league despite key injuries, including Jalen Brunson’s absence due to an ankle injury. Even without their All-Star point guard, the Knicks have maintained their winning ways, boasting a 3-2 record in his absence, thanks to strong performances from Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and RJ Barrett. Towns has emerged as a dominant interior presence, averaging 13 rebounds per game, a mark no Knicks player has achieved since Jerry Lucas in the early 1970s. His ability to control the paint has been critical in making up for Brunson’s missing production. The Knicks have leaned heavily on their defensive identity under head coach Tom Thibodeau, ranking in the top five in the NBA in defensive efficiency and holding opponents to just 108.2 points per game. This defensive tenacity will be a key factor against a struggling Spurs squad. On the other hand, the Spurs are enduring a tough season, currently at 28-38, dealing with the loss of their franchise centerpiece Victor Wembanyama, who is out for the season due to injury.

Without the 7’4” phenom, the Spurs have slipped to 24th in defensive efficiency, allowing an average of 123.6 points per 100 possessions since his departure. Offensively, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson have shouldered the scoring load, but their production has been inconsistent. The Spurs’ biggest issue has been closing out games, as they have surrendered multiple fourth-quarter leads in recent matchups, including a disappointing loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder after leading by double digits heading into the final frame. Their lack of defensive structure and inability to contain perimeter scorers have left them vulnerable to teams with strong outside shooting, making them an easy target for a Knicks squad that thrives on spacing the floor and moving the ball. In their last matchup on December 25, 2024, the Knicks edged the Spurs in a thrilling 117-114 victory, with Bridges scoring a season-high 41 points and Wembanyama dropping an impressive 42-point, 18-rebound effort before his injury. The Spurs are certainly looking for revenge, but given their current form, they’ll need to make serious defensive adjustments to slow down a Knicks team that has been efficient on both ends of the floor. The Knicks have covered the spread in four of their last five meetings against San Antonio, and given the recent struggles of the Spurs’ defense, this game could follow a similar pattern. For the Knicks, winning this game is important for their seeding in the East, while the Spurs are looking for signs of growth from their young core as they prepare for the future. Expect the Knicks to push the tempo and attack San Antonio’s weak interior defense while the Spurs attempt to counter with aggressive play from their young backcourt.