When the Spurs last visited Madison Square Garden, the Knicks were on the cusp of all-time ignominy.
Just one loss from tying the longest home losing streak in NBA history, the Knicks stunned San Antonio on Feb. 24 with their first home win in nearly three months, halting a seemingly never-ending skid after 18 straight losses.
The giddy crowd soaked up every second of the rare occasion, hitting its crescendo on Dennis Smith Jr.’s backboard lob to Mitchell Robinson in the final minute.
For the first time, Smith seemed like so much more than a talented throw-in acquired — alongside much more coveted cap space — in last season’s blockbuster trade for Kristaps Porzingis, putting up 19 points, 13 assists, six rebounds, two steals and no turnovers in his eighth game with the Knicks.