Victor Wembanyama had a Christmas debut for the ages.

It just wasn’t enough to win at Madison Square Garden.

Mikal Bridges countered Wembanyama’s big game with a 41-point effort to lead New York past the San Antonio Spurs in a 117-114 Knicks win. The Knicks went on a 9-0 run, rallying from a 102-94 deficit in the final seven minutes to secure the win.

New York overcame 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and six 3-pointers from Wembanyama. This attempt was the third-highest score by a player in his Christmas Day debut, three points shy of Will Chamberlain’s record of 45. He is the first player to ever score more than 40 points, more than 15 rebounds and more than five made 3-pointers. Shots scored in a Christmas game.

But the Knicks were the better team on Wednesday.

The game was back and forth from the start as the Knicks took a 28-27 lead in the first quarter. Wembanyama overcame a 1-for-5 start from the field to score 24 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks with four 3-pointers in the first half as the Spurs took a 58-51 lead at the break.

Wembanyama continued his 3-point attack in the third quarter, going 6 of 16 from distance.

But it was New York that took control in the third quarter and took an 88-83 lead into the fourth quarter. The Spurs countered with a 19:6 run at the start of the fourth period and built an eight-point lead. But Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby countered with three consecutive 3-pointers from the Knicks to take the lead 103-102.

From then on, the lead changed hands four times before New York finally took control. Bridges sealed the win with a drive and pull-up jumper from the wing with 1:18 left, giving New York a 116-111 lead.

The bucket was Bridges’ last of the game. He finished the game with 41 points, four assists and two blocks while shooting 6 of 9 from 3-point range.

Karl-Anthony Towns battled Wembanyama for much of the game and finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and two assists. Jalen Brunson added 20 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

Jeremy Sochan contributed 21 points and nine rebounds for the Spurs, while Chris Paul had 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

It was an ideal Christmas present for Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden. They got a show from one of the best players in the world and left the arena celebrating the Knicks’ victory.