Mamukelashvili makes NBA history with 34 points in 19 minutes to fuel Spurs' 120-105 win over Knicks

Mamukelashvili makes NBA history with 34 points in 19 minutes to fuel Spurs’ 120-105 win over Knicks

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San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) dunks against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili celebrates a dunk during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili, left, celebrates a dunk with Spurs guard Keldon Johnson during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) celebrates the win with rapper Flavor Flav and Spurs guard Stephon Castle, rear, after an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) looks to pass as he is defended by San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan (10) and Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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New York Knicks guard O.G. Anunoby (8) swats the ball away from San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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New York Knicks guard O.G. Anunoby (8) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) shoots against New York Knicks’ Miles McBride (2) and O.G. Anunoby (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

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New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

By RAUL DOMINGUEZ

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Sandro Mamukelashvili scored a career-high 34 points on 13-for-14 shooting in 19 minutes to become the first player in NBA history to score 34 points while playing less than 20 minutes as the San Antonio Spurs upended the New York Knicks 120-105 on Wednesday night.

Mamukelashvili, who was 7 for 7 from 3-point range, had 13 points, seven rebounds and an assist in eight minutes in the first half as San Antonio rolled to a 28-point lead.

He had 21 points in the final quarter to help the Spurs secure the victory.

Stephon Castle added 22 points as San Antonio won for the third time in eight games. Chris Paul added 12 points and nine assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and nine rebounds to lead New York while OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges added 14 points each. The Knicks are 3-3 since Jalen Brunson suffered a sprained right ankle.

The Spurs had their most inspiring victory since losing Victor Wembanyama (blood clot in right shoulder) and De’Aaron Fox (left pinkie surgery) to season-ending injuries.

The Spurs outscored the Knicks 38-23 in the second quarter when New York had a 3:37 scoreless stretch. The Knicks responded with a 29-16 third quarter.

Not PARSE.LY: San Antonio Spurs

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

Reaves scores 30 points, Doncic just misses triple-double in Lakers’ 125-109 win over Spurs

San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) drives to the basket against New Orleans Pelicans forward Kelly Olynyk, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Vassell scores 22 points and Spurs hold off Pelicans, who were without Williamson

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) reacts to a score against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Hornets make franchise-record 26 3s and Ball has 27 points and 14 assists in 145-134 win over Spurs

Takeaways

Knicks: Mitchell Robinson had 13 points and 11 rebounds in his ninth game this season since returning from left ankle surgery. Robinson was 5 for 6 from the field in 17 minutes off the bench.

Spurs: Jeremy Sochan had 10 points, six rebounds and had three assists in his return to the starting lineup.

Key moment

Devin Vassell’s 3-pointer with 2:37 remaining in the first half capped a 30-7 run that put the Spurs up 61-35.

Key stat

The Spurs outrebounded the Knicks 61-48 despite having no player taller than 6-foot-9 available.

Up next

Knicks: Are at Charlotte on Thursday night.

Spurs: Host Philadelphia on Friday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA