New York Knicks: Everyone rises in another streak-snapping win

The New York Knicks pulled off a stunning win Sunday night, taking down the San Antonio Spurs at home.

The New York Knicks entered Sunday on another losing streak, and not just overall, at one. They dropped 18 consecutive games at Madison Square Garden, and the San Antonio Spurs were the next opponent in line.

The last home win? Dec. 1, 2018, nearly three months ago, in the overtime thriller over the Milwaukee Bucks. In between that, the Knicks had a franchise record 18-game losing streak overall, which they snapped before the All-Star break.

Well, not only did the Knicks break this home streak, they now have victories in two of their last three games. That sounds foreign, for everything that’s happened in the 2018-19 season, and it completed against the Spurs, maybe the NBA’s most technically sound team each year, 130-118.

Left and right, players were dropping career nights for the Knicks. Awe-inspiring and surprising, everything pieced together perfectly, as youth rose and even a veteran, Lance Thomas, had an over-his-head 16 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes.

It starts with Damyean Dotson, who’s embraced this starting role since Tim Hardaway Jr. was traded and Wesley Matthews hit waivers. The three-pointers are not arriving as streakily anymore, including the five made shots against the Timberwolves and eight — yes, eight — against the Spurs for a career-high 27 points.

If there was any doubt, the starting shooting guard spot in Dotson’s over Allonzo Trier.

Point guard has held its own spotlight throughout this Knicks season. Frank Ntilikina and Trey Burke cycled through, before Emmanuel Mudiay ran away with it for the winter.

Then came Dennis Smith Jr., who’s athletic, highlight-reel play has added excitement to a position that’s featured changes for almost two decades. It’s with efficiency, as well, with 8-for-17 shooting for 19 points and 13 assists — the rare double-digit dime total for the Knicks this year.

Behind him, Mudiay tried to one-up Smith, with 19 points in 19 minutes. The fourth-year man played off the bench for the second consecutive game since returning from injury. He may never regain the starting role, but there’s no doubt about him holding a significant role as the year progresses.

Topping it off, Mitchell Robinson brought back the pre All-Star break play that had fans wanting more, and head coach David Fizdale gave them just that.

Without DeAndre Jordan, Robinson stepped up for 30 minutes, scoring 15, grabbing 14 rebounds and swatting five shots. He even teamed with Smith Jr. for this alley-oop:

And this in the game’s final seconds:

• Kevin Knox had a wildly erratic start to the night, but he finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds on a solid 8-for-18 shooting.
• Noah Vonleh‘s role continues to drift. He started but played just 17 minutes. It’s the 23 year old’s fourth appearance in the past five games that was 20 minutes or fewer.
• The Knicks shot 51 percent from the field and 43.2 percent on three-pointers.

The New York Knicks will stay at home for Tuesday’s matchup against the Orlando Magic, at 7:30 p.m. ET.