Yahoo Sports New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions
The New York Knicks (11-12) play against the San Antonio Spurs (14-14) at AT&T Center
Game Time: 8:30 PM EST on Tuesday December 7, 2021
New York Knicks 78, San Antonio Spurs 67 (Q3 07:08)
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
RJ Marquez @KSATRJ
Keldon Johnson (right ankle sprain) is out for the rest of the Spurs game vs Knicks, per team. He was injured at the end of the 1st half, started 3rd quarter and then went back to locker room. #Spurs #KSATsports – 9:56 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Keldon is out for the remainder of the game with a right ankle sprain, per Spurs. – 9:55 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Have a day, RJ! pic.twitter.com/xftghXu0B4 – 9:55 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Per Spurs: Keldon Johnson (right ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s Spurs-Knicks game. – 9:54 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Knicks up 10 in the third quarter despite Julius Randle being held without a field goal.
RJ Barrett on fire with 22 points. He’s 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. – 9:53 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Barrett keeps it going – starts the second half with a 3 (now 5-for-5). And Burks follows with another 3 and Popovich calls time just 1:06 into the half. – 9:52 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
The Knicks start the second half with a few made 3s and they’re now winning the 3PT line by 9 points.
Knicks by 10 – 9:51 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
After that drama, Kelden Johnson is starting the second half for the Spurs. – 9:50 PM
Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
Keldon Johnson is out here to start the second half. Crisis averted, it appears. – 9:49 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Keldon Johnson is back and starting the second half – 9:49 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Mitchell Robinson is having a fan feed him repeatedly with passes so he can launch three-point field goal attempts in warmups for the second half. Thibodeau has not come out to the court yet so there was no danger of the coach tackling Robinson. – 9:46 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Good paint defense for the Spurs.
But the Knicks already have 11 offensive boards in just 2 quarters.
The Spurs allow 10 offensive boards per game pic.twitter.com/2GuRTR5HW5 – 9:43 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Knicks looking to push pace and feed Obi on quick looks when defense is mismatched pic.twitter.com/emAdaRi9nA – 9:42 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
First half in the books. pic.twitter.com/it8eY6JeYR – 9:41 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Halftime. pic.twitter.com/fQW2MwYOBL – 9:40 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Knicks up 62-56 at halftime
Motivated Mitch Rob with 9 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in just 11 minutes off the bench after his demotion.
Angry RJ Barrett with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting (4-of-4 from deep)
Just 4 points combined from Fournier and Randle – 9:39 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Half: Knicks by 6
NYK take 2Q 34-28.
Spurs winning paint by 6
Knicks winning mid-range, 3PT line, and FT line pic.twitter.com/Xd22K3zrAe – 9:36 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Halftime. Knicks lead the Spurs 62-56.
• Barrett 19 & 4, 7-12 FGs, 4-4 3Ps
• Burks 12 & 3
• Robinson 7 & 10, 2 stls, 2 blks
• White 12-2-4
• McDermott 11 pts
Knicks shooting 47-44-83. – 9:36 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Over the Knicks previous five games, RJ Barrett was 3-for-13 from downtown
In the first half tonight, Barrett is 4-of-4 from downtown
I’m guessing RJ got in the gym lol – 9:36 PM
Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
Spurs down 62-56 heading into halftime. They had to overcome some stuff (low energy, poor rebounding, loss of Keldon Johnson) to stick that close. – 9:35 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Knicks up 62-56 at the half – Barrett is 7-for-12, 4-for-4 from 3, for 19 points. Which is good since Randle is 0-for-3 and has just 2 free throws. Robinson played well off the bench. – 9:35 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Keldon Johnson down after turning his ankle by landing awkwardly on Drew Eubanks’ foot. He’s limping on his way to the locker room with trainer Will Sevening. – 9:32 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Keldon’s currently down under the Knicks basket.
At first none of the players noticed, so Thibs told his team to foul to stop play.
Keldon is up, walking on his own back to the locker room – 9:32 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Keldon Johnson on the court in real pain. San Antonio arena went silent. – 9:31 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
RJ Barrett has 19 points, the most he’s scored since Nov. 5. And it’s still the first half. – 9:30 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
The feed ➡️ The finish
Lonnie to Drew for the SLAM DUNK!!! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3B062uRSs4 – 9:30 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Noel just went down in traffic – got up holding his right knee. Stays in the game. – 9:29 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Just throw it up. Obi will get it. pic.twitter.com/xNVlxs8zJo – 9:25 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Rose getting ✨ 𝒻𝒶𝓃𝒸𝓎 ✨ with it. pic.twitter.com/9vqewhymFp – 9:23 PM
Mike Finger @mikefinger
Spurs have been struggling ever since the Coyote urged the crowd to cheer the Alamo and boo the Empire State Building.
Mistake to get into an architecture contest with New York, imo. – 9:23 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
15th double digit deficit for the Spurs in 23 games.
SA enters 1-13 when trailing by 10 – 9:21 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Not sure who’s higher on the Waking Up Meter right now, Mitchell Robinson or RJ Barrett.
Barrett is 3-for-3 from deep and has been aggressive all game. Robinson has been everywhere defensively, grabbing boards and finishing around the rim. Positive signs for both. – 9:20 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Doug makin’ it look easy out there 😎 pic.twitter.com/EHGPrNLsLM – 9:20 PM
Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
More trenchant analysis: The team that got into San Antonio before midnight last night appears to have more energy in this one. – 9:18 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
On the day he was yanked from the starting lineup, Mitchell Robinson enjoying his best half in a while. – 9:17 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Quick 3️⃣ from Quickley. pic.twitter.com/V9kqo8a1Qh – 9:16 PM
Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Knicks up 39-34 early second quarter. Alec Burks was on pace to play all 48 minutes. Thibs still making sure he’s part of second unit as wing while doubling as starting PG. Burks played game’s first 15 minutes before being removed now. – 9:15 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Tied after the 1st frame
#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/VgYLF2HaLx – 9:13 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
MCBUCKETS FOR 3!!!
@Doug McDermott drains a triple at the 🚨 to tie! pic.twitter.com/UnOEfAtIF3 – 9:12 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Persistence personified. pic.twitter.com/heFKkV2Bpp – 9:11 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
When I watch the Spurs in their white and black uniforms, I always get frustrated that more of their players don’t wear the Jordan 11 Concords – 9:09 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Through one quarter, the Knicks and Spurs are tied at 28.
• Barrett 7 & 2
• Burks 7 pts
• McDermott 6 pts – 9:08 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
1Q: Spurs & Knicks tie at 28
McDermott 6 pts | Burks, Barrett 7 pts each
Spurs winning 3PT line by 6 points after McDermott’s late 3s in the quarter – 9:08 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Really quality Mitchell Robinson minutes so far. Helping well and getting into passing lanes. – 9:06 PM
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
Clyde brought some drip to San Antonio tonight pic.twitter.com/3BUkUyDung – 9:06 PM
Jonathan Wasserman @NBADraftWass
Allan Houston in Tennessee gear watching his alma mater at MSG, while presumably also scouting Kennedy Chandler for a Knicks team that once again needs a PG. Tough game for Chandler, just 3-of-9, 5 TOs, 4 assists. – 9:06 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Let it fly, AB! pic.twitter.com/Iev3X9ISXv – 9:06 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson left for the locker room holding his hand. – 9:02 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
🗣LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO
DJ got 🆙 for this one! pic.twitter.com/ssjjOw9ykn – 8:58 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
❌ POELTL REJECTION ❌ pic.twitter.com/4nnJGrLpfQ – 8:56 PM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Knicks keep challenging Poeltl at the rim and it simply isn’t working. Again, this seems like something more players should understand is a bad idea. Three straight possessions, one block, two bad misses. – 8:55 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Good read by Lonnie. Noel and Randle were both on the opposite end of the court and with no bigs, Lonnie threw the alley-oop to Murray for the finish.
Tied game at 13 – 8:54 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Knicks keep attacking Poeltl, one of the best rim protectors in the league. He’s either blocked or vastly altered three straight shots. Spurs tie it up. Thibs timeout. – 8:53 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
RJ steals it and Ev seals it pic.twitter.com/8yk2KCtW1P – 8:51 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Well, we’re 4:22 into the game and the Spurs are showing fans chugging beers on the scoreboard so this should go well for the next few hours. – 8:50 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
The ball movement on that one🔥
Jakob ➡️ Derrick ➡️ Jakob for 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/ZoP2WCreCF – 8:47 PM
Paul Garcia @PaulGarciaNBA
Spurs throw a trap at the
Knicks and the result is an 8 second violation for NYK – 8:47 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
RJ with the J. pic.twitter.com/Z5YiM5j1VY – 8:46 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
RJ Barrett drains two jumpers to start off the game. – 8:45 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
In case you’re tuning in and wondering: Mitchell Robinson gets bench role with Nerlens Noel starting for Knicks newsday.com/sports/basketb… via @Newsday – 8:45 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
And on the first play a Fournier pass bounces off Noel hands and we’re off. – 8:40 PM
Jabari Young @JabariJYoung
Continuing my #NBA attendance checkup… tonight i’m back in SA to see #Spurs #Knicks
#Sports #Business pic.twitter.com/zJkcCZIuuv – 8:33 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Mitchell Robinson replaced in the starting lineup by Nerlens Noel nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 8:30 PM
Jim Lefko @jimlefko
It’s gotta be the shoes. #spurs Keldon Johnson lookin good in green. pic.twitter.com/GBJ1cSjqJS – 8:30 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
It’s about that time ya’ll! ⏰ Enter the Spurs Digital Arena pres. by @SociosHoops for your chance to win some Spurs Pay! pic.twitter.com/aKQebK0dGH – 8:26 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
One thing that I’ll be watching for tonight:
Mitchell Robinson has talked pretty openly about his conditioning issues. Well, the Knicks’ second unit likes to run. How does he fit in running with the reserves, even if it’s for fewer minutes than he receives while starting? – 8:21 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Starting 5️⃣
#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/u5AgyIjPpq – 8:13 PM
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
Nerlens Noel starting, Mitchell Robinson on the bench tonight. I like it for the Knicks. Nerlens doesn’t have the same length and highlight blocks as Mitch, but he is so smart defensively and gives the Knicks more consistent minutes. – 8:10 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Knicks announce Nerlens Noel will replace Mitchell Robinson in the starting lineup tonight – 8:06 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Knicks starters:
Alec Burks
Evan Fournier
RJ Barrett
Julius Randle
Nerlens Noel – 8:04 PM
Fred Katz @FredKatz
Nerlens Noel starting for Mitchell Robinson, Knicks say. – 8:03 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Nerlens Noel will start in place of Mitchell Robinson vs SAS, NYK says. – 8:03 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Nerlens Noel is starting over Mitchell Robinson for the Knicks tonight. – 8:02 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
The first 🖐 on the court. pic.twitter.com/5OSsGQRKdp – 8:02 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Thibodeau on Luka Samanic: “He’s a good, young prospect. He has to keep working.” – 7:40 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Lock in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/90wCB48Dov – 7:30 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Pop says Spurs want Primo to have more time in Austin than with big club “for obvious reasons”:
“He needs to mature in every way, shape and form because of his age.” – 7:23 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
slight drip for the home crowd💦
#ULTRADrip | #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/2iaPDfEFat – 7:21 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Knicks reporters naturally wanted to know Pop’s thoughts on Luka.
“He’s got a lot of talent,” Pop said. “Sky is the limit for him if he just sticks with it and does the things he has to to improve defensively and being consistent. He’s a good kid…The future is bright for him.” – 7:17 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Former Spur Luka Samanic named G League Player of the Week after averaging 30.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists to lead the Westchester Knicks to a 2-1 mark. – 7:15 PM
Jeff Eisenband @JeffEisenband
Tuning into my man @Keith_McPherson on @WFAN660. First caller I hear calls him “Chris” and proceeds to go into a 5-minute Brian Cashman rant. It’s December and baseball is in a lockout.
Never change, New York sports radio. – 7:07 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
Pregame prep. pic.twitter.com/NUaLfpttj5 – 6:59 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Josh made defensive history last night 🔒👏
#PorVida pic.twitter.com/a6YGqjNle8 – 6:25 PM
New York Knicks @nyknicks
When in Texas…
#UltraDrip x #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/OhZdPDoMKb – 6:00 PM
Jeff McDonald @JMcDonald_SAEN
“I thought he was excellent for such a young guy, starting to figure out what it is like to be in the NBA.”
Every time Josh Primo returns from the G League for an NBA cameo, he shows something new. On the teenager’s latest growth spurt:
expressnews.com/sports/spurs/a… via @expressnews – 5:53 PM
Ian Begley @IanBegley
Last week on The Putback, we talked about the Sixers, James Harden, the Knicks and more with @mgrads, @cpthefanchise and @cwilliamson44
Full show here: https://t.co/yeLILgsZpT pic.twitter.com/zYWmCSzph7 – 5:50 PM
Jim Lefko @jimlefko
High-risk cancer patients are getting vaccinated at rates much lower than the rest of the greater San Antonio community, a new survey reveals. news4sanantonio.com/news/local/hig… – 5:45 PM
Michael Beasley @Michael8easley
Random white walks up to me in the gym… wg:who you? me: umm… then he cuts me wg: you look like drose.. then pauses.. ima get in yo a** drose me: 😑. – 5:44 PM
Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Interesting timing with former Spurs first-rounder Luka Samanic being named G League Player of Week with Knicks in Alamo City. – 5:39 PM
Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Mitchell Robinson admits his conditioning is holding him back nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 5:23 PM
Tom Orsborn @tom_orsborn
Vassell (right quad contusion) is out again tonight vs. NYK. After tonight, he will have sat out 5 of the last 6 games, including the last 3 in a row. – 5:13 PM
Darnell Mayberry @DarnellMayberry
Pizza debates are dumb. If you’re like me and you love pizza, it’s all delicious!
But if you want to read a review of the best pizza in New York City, I was just there last week and I’ve got you ⤵️
✍🏾 via @TheAthletic
https://t.co/ovoO3OAlEq pic.twitter.com/F36mREKo4B – 4:18 PM
Jim Lefko @jimlefko
Two of the UT Health San Antonio doctor/authors of a Mays Cancer Center study on low Covid-19 vaccination rates for cancer patients weigh in on the surprising results. Details at 6 on @News4SA pic.twitter.com/l2fgHkCE6e – 4:11 PM
San Antonio Spurs @spurs
Back home tonight! Bring the energy, Spurs Fam 🗣
🆚 @New York Knicks
⏰ 7:30pm CT
📍 @attcenter
📺 @BallySportsSA
🎟 https://t.co/TONX3QK9zF
📻 @1200WOAI, @kxtn1350 AM & 107.5 FM HD 2 pic.twitter.com/YNJQl5g3W9 – 3:29 PM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Hello, it’s me, a wet blanket, and I don’t think there’s a realistic Sabonis trade out there that makes sense for both the Pacers and Spurs. Trades between two teams in rebuild mode are inherently complicated given that they’re both essentially looking for the same things. – 3:25 PM
Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Tom Thibodeau close to benching center Mitchell Robinson, who admits he needs to step up with stamina #NBA #Knicks nypost.com/2021/12/07/tom… – 3:16 PM
Matthew Tynan @Matthew_Tynan
Spurs Twitter: *roasts any potential trade offer by fans of other teams for Dejounte Murray over a fire, ties them to a rocket and blasts them into the sun*
Also Spurs Twitter to rebuilding Pacers: “Thad Young, Lonnie Walker and a 2074 first-round pick for Sabonis LFG!!” – 2:53 PM
Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
Tom Thibodeau’s next #Knicks change could be Nerlens Noel over Mitchell Robinson nypost.com/2021/12/07/tom… – 2:39 PM
