SAN ANTONIO _ The Knicks sank to another low Saturday night.
With Carmelo Anthony missing a second straight game with what the Knicks are calling a sore left knee, they fell to the Spurs, 106-98, and dropped further in the standings.
The Knicks (27-46) now are looking up at the Philadelphia 76ers and are tied with the Orlando Magic for the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. They're also tied for the fourth-worst record in the league.
It was the Knicks' eighth defeat in the last nine games. Their magic number for being eliminated from playoff contention is down to two. The Knicks are 8{ games behind Miami for the Eastern Conference's last playoff spot with nine to play.
Kristaps Porzingis had a rough night. He picked up three fouls in the first nine minutes and didn't score his first basket until 4:05 remained in the game. Porzingis finished 3-for-8 and scored 12 points.
Rookie center Willy Hernangomez scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Derrick Rose also had 24 in his return from a one-game absence because of a sore foot. Mindaugas Kuzminskas added 19.
Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs (56-16) with 29 points and five assists. LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol each had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
After trailing by 20 points in the third quarter, the Knicks cut it to 78-74 at the end of the quarter, with Hernangomez scoring 13 in the period, and got within 83-80 with 9:12 left. The Spurs went ahead 96-84 on Leonard's 3-pointer with 5:55 left.
The Knicks ended the road trip 0-4 and need to finish 6-3 to avoid a third straight season of at least 50 losses.
