NEW YORK — Tim Duncan recorded the 831st double-double of his career leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 94-84 win over the New York Knicks Monday at Madison Square Garden.
The ageless center scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Duncan is fifth all-time in that category. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who stands in fourth place, registered 885 double-doubles.
Duncan had plenty of help as San Antonio (3-1) dominated the paint. Forward Kawhi Leonard had 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks, power forward LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and point guard Tony Parker chipped in with 16 points.
The Spurs outscored New York (2-2) 56-32 in the paint.
Forward Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 19 points and rookie forward Kristaps Porzingis, who left the game late in the fourth with what appeared to be a neck injury, recorded his first double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 14 rebounds.
Fellow rookie Jerian Grant came of the Knicks bench to toss in 12 points.
New York’s second unit rallied the Knicks in the fourth quarter. Grant’s two free throws brought the Knicks to within four at 75-71 with 10:26 left to play. But a 9-2 San Antonio run squelched the rally and put the Spurs ahead 91-79 with 5:22 to play. Parker led the barrage with four points.
The Knicks ended the third quarter on an 8-2 run and trailed 70-65.
A 29-24 second quarter Knicks lead was erased by a 20-4 blitz by the Spurs, who moved ahead 44-33 with 4:11 to go in the quarter. Aldridge deposited eight points in the run and Leonard contributed seven.
New York made just seven of their 22 shots in the quarter and tuned the ball over six times.
New York led by as many as eight points in the first quarter before the Spurs used a 9-0 run to move ahead. But the Knicks closed out the frame on a 6-2 burst to grab a 21-18 edge.
Parker, Duncan and Leonard combined for 16 of San Antonio’s 18 points in the first quarter
NOTES: Knicks coach Derek Fisher said there is no timetable on G Arron Afflalo’s return from a strained left hamstring that has kept him out since the start of this season. “He’s getting closer,” said Fisher. “He’s progressing the way we want him to, but it’s tough to put a hard date on his return.” … Fisher praised the work of backup PG Jerian Grant. “Jerian helps that (second) group a lot because of his skill set. He can handle the basketball and shoot the basketball. He has an all-around game that fits well.” … The Knicks won just seven games on the road last season. They have won their first two this season. …
Sunday’s Spurs victory against the Celtics made F Tim Duncan and guards Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker the winningest trio in NBA history. The win gave the three players 541 victories together, one more than Boston’s Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish.