Knicks at Spurs final score: Knicks win 105-101 in Carmelo Anthony’s return

Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in his return from an ankle injury to lead the New York Knicks to a surprising 105-101 road victory over the San Antonio Spurs Thursday night.

Anthony injured his ankle in Orlando during a 103-98 victory over the Magic on December 23 and has missed the last three games, all Knicks’ losses. Anthony was 10-of-20 from the field and dished out four assists.

Iman Shumpert also poured in 27 points, which is a new career-high. He added six rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Marco Belinelli also reached a new career-high, scoring 32 points on an insanely efficient 12-of-16 shooting. Tony Parker had 12 points on five-of-12 shooting and Manu Ginobili had 11 points on four-of-11 shooting and dished 12 assists while no other Spurs’ player scored in double figures.

The Spurs’ other three starters (Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard and Tiago Splitter) combined for 23 points on seven-of-19 shooting.

Despite their struggles, the Spurs and Knicks were tied at 98 with 39 seconds to play. Shumpert drilled a three for the Knicks, but Belinelli answered with one of his own. Shumpert scored on the other end and Belinelli couldn’t answer, missing a three. Anthony then hit two free throws to ice the game.

The Knicks are now 10-21 while the Spurs are 25-8.