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Julian Champagnie rattled in 11 three-pointers and Victor Wembanyama scored 31 points as the San Antonio Spurs came from behind to defeat the New York Knicks 134-132 in a New Year’s Eve thriller on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
San Antonio, beaten by the Knicks in the NBA Cup final two weeks ago, avenged that loss in sensational fashion after clawing their way back from a 19-point second quarter deficit to score a superb win.<\/p>\n
French prodigy Wembanyama was instrumental in the victory, leading a determined fightback that included 31 points and 13 rebounds before he exited with a leg injury early in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n
Wembanyama later returned to sit on the bench and celebrated with teammates as the Spurs closed out a roller coaster victory that sees them improve to 24-9 and remain second in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n
While Wembanyama played a crucial role in the comeback win, Champagnie provided the offensive spark, unleashing an incredible three-point barrage to finishing with 36 points.<\/p>\n
Champagnie’s three-point blitz included four threes in the fourth quarter as San Antonio drew level before pulling clear.<\/p>\n
“It feels great man — just go out there and do my job,” Champagnie said afterwards. “That’s all I can do…I was just trying to shoot the basketball.”<\/p>\n
A crowd of 18,602 at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center had been subdued earlier in the fourth quarter when Wembanyama hobbled off the court following an awkward landing from a rebound.<\/p>\n
Wembanyama though later said he expected to make a quick recovery from what he called a left knee hyper-extension.<\/p>\n
“My body’s feeling good, just sore,” Wembanyama said. “I’m very confident, optimistic.<\/p>\n
“I expect to be back next game — I don’t know that (the team) expects,” he added.<\/p>\n