The New York Knicks suffered a tough loss against the San Antonio Spurs, falling 15 points short in what was expected to be a high-stakes matchup. Despite having aspirations for the playoffs, New York’s defense and hustle were nowhere to be found for large chunks of the game.
Coach Tom Thibodeau acknowledged that his team’s recent schedule has been grueling, with frequent road trips and limited rest. However, he emphasized that finding a way to win is crucial. “The schedule is the schedule,” he said. “We have to find a way to win.”
Miles McBride echoed this sentiment, stating that games like this are crucial when it comes to preparing for the playoffs. The Knicks’ lack of focus and mental lapses on defense were glaring, particularly in the first half and fourth quarter.
The Spurs’ Sandro Mamukelashvili was unstoppable, hitting 7-of-8 shots from deep and leaving New York defenders looking unfocused. Josh Hart acknowledged that his team needs to do better at finding their opponents and shutting them down, saying “When a guy has a game going like that, we have to find him and get to his body.”
While the Knicks’ loss is unlikely to be a major concern just yet, it does highlight the importance of mental fatigue in the final stretch of the season. As basketball inches closer to its most unforgiving stage, monitoring these types of lapses is crucial for New York’s success.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6217648/2025/03/20/knicks-loss-spurs-lapses-schedule