Wrapping up their three-game road trip on Wednesday night, the New York Knicks were looking to head back to the Big Apple, going a perfect 3-0. Standing in their way was the San Antonio Spurs, one of the best teams in the NBA this season, who has been able to shine with and without Victor Wembanyama during stretches this season.

Despite getting an efficient 29-point, eight-assist performance from Jalen Brunson and having two 20-point scorers off the bench, the Spurs proved to be too much, earning the narrow 134-132 victory powered by Julian Champagnie's career-high 36-point game with 11 made three-pointers.

Speaking after the game, head coach Mike Brown addressed the team's loss, being straight to the point with how San Antonio was able to secure their 24th victory of the season.

"They outworked us in a lot of different ways," Brown said. "Mitch [Johnson] kicked my a**, the rest of the team kicked our a**. We all got our a** kicked today, so you give San Antonio a ton of credit. Julian Champagnie, I mean, he was fantastic. He shot the mess out the ball, and he made the shots."

Looking at the box score, the Spurs won the rebounding battle 48-40, and had just 17 personal fouls compared to New York's 30, with Jordan Clarkson and Karl-Anthony Towns fouling out. Otherwise, the Knicks had fewer turnovers and made more three-pointers at a higher percentage than the Spurs.

"I was a little disappointed in our guys because it was almost like, at times, we didn't respect him," Brown added.

Champagnie was electric from three against the Knicks, making 11 of the team's 14 made three-pointers. Most of his damage came in the second half, connecting on eight three-pointers, swinging the game in San Antonio's favor, especially in the fourth quarter.

Given that the Knicks are viewed as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference and could be representing the East in the NBA Finals, it's not good to see the Knicks lose yet another game to a strong opponent.

In fairness, they were without Josh Hart in this contest and had beaten the Spurs earlier this season in the NBA Cup Final. However, they've lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics in the last month, all games that New York could've used a win to prove their case as legit title contenders.

The next true test for the Knicks could come as early as next Monday, when they face the Detroit Pistons on January 5th on the road.