The New York Knicks defeated the visiting San Antonio Spurs, 102-98, at Madison Square Garden on Thursday evening.

The contest got out to a tight start as the Knicks led, 20-18, after one quarter. The score stayed tight through the second, where the Knicks managed to add one more point to their advantage, by halftime. The Spurs came out much stronger in the third and jumped to a quick 10-point lead, but the Knicks rallied back to make it a four-point game heading into the final frame. The Knicks carried the momentum into the fourth and tied it up early in the quarter. The score stayed close the rest of the way, but the Knicks came up clutch to close out the impressive home win.

Alec Burks led the Knicks with 30 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and a block, in 34 minutes off the bench. Julius Randle followed up with 25 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and a steal, while R.J. Barrett added 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a steal. The Knicks shot 40 percent from the field, including 14-of-35 from deep.

Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan led the Spurs with 27 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal, in 37 minutes. Dejounte Murray followed up with 14 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, while Keldon Johnson chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Spurs shot 41 percent from the field, including 6-of-21 from long range.

The Spurs (33-37) will look to bounce back as they play host to the Suns on Saturday. The Knicks (39-31) play host to the Hornets on Saturday.