Knicks Holiday Game Ranked Second-Worst

The New York Knicks have Dec. 25 circled on the calendar as they host their annual Christmas game against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.

It will be the first of five games on the day at noon ET, but according to CBS Sports writer Sam Quinn, it is also the second-worst of the Christmas contests.

“The last time Victor Wembanyama faced the Knicks, he posted a casual 40-point, 20-rebound double-double,” Quinn writes. “That game was in San Antonio, but historically speaking, almost every NBA legend has at least one marquee regular-season performance at Madison Square Garden. LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant have all scored 50 or more points in games there. The chance that Wembanyama has his first great MSG performance on Christmas is enough to make this game appointment television.”

The only game that ranked below Spurs vs. Knicks was the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors matchup. The Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns nightcap, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks Western Conference Finals rematch and the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics rivalry game ranked ahead of Spurs vs. Knicks.

A big reason for that, however, has to do with the Spurs roster apart from Wembanyama.

“Unfortunately, the rest of [Wembanyama’s] roster is still relatively weak,” Quinn writes. “The Knicks are a championship contender, but they’re playing a likely lottery opponent, and that knocks this game down the rankings a slot or two. Wembanyama vs. the Villanova alumni team will be fun, but doesn’t quite crack the top three.”

Perhaps a game like this will spark a Christmas rivalry between the two teams and a rematch will come years down the line when Wembanyama is in his prime and the Spurs are back to relevancy facing a Knicks team that will look to remain in the contender conversation and national spotlight.

Make sure you bookmark New York Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!