SAN ANTONIO — If this is the season’s turning point for the Knicks, they will always remember The Alamo.
Coach Tom Thibodeau made another starting lineup change Tuesday, and this one worked perfectly. Along the way, he also may have a lit a fire under both RJ Barrett and demoted center Mitchell Robinson.
Barrett and Robinson led the Knicks to a comfortable 121-109 victory over the Spurs at AT&T Center, breaking a three-game losing streak and moving back to .500 at 12-12.
“This is big one for us to get back on track,’’ Barrett said.
Thibodeau had previously made interesting remarks about Barrett needing to work harder, shooting in the gym at night as he did last season.
Barrett broke out of an 11-game 3-point shooting malaise as he scored 32 points, drilling 7 of 8 3-pointers, making his first five in a dazzling display. Barrett had shot just 22 percent from 3 the previous 11 outings.
“I think it opens it up for everyone, and that’s the value of the 3,’’ Thibodeau said. “He’s feeling better, so we’ll start with that. He was knocked down pretty good, not feeling well. So, he’s back in the gym. He’s putting a lot of extra work in and he’s grooving his shot. And when he grooves his shot, we know he’s gonna make it.’’
Thibodeau sent Robinson to the bench, starting Nerlens Noel at center. While Noel didn’t have that big of a game, Robinson found a home in his new role with the second unit, as he scored 11 points with 14 rebounds — scoring a handful of his points off put-back dunks.
“We needed that win bad — we’re desperate right now,” Robinson said.
Before the game, Robinson admitted, with his muscle-weight gain, he needed to work on his stamina because he was getting tired after six-minute bursts.
“I’m trying to build that flame back before I broke my hand and foot, trying to get back to myself,’’ Robinson said.
The Knicks won their first game since demoting point guard Kemba Walker to full-time spectator. His replacement, Alec Burks, chipped in 18 points and Julius Randle scored 15 points with just one turnover, earning rave reviews from Thibodeau.
In fact, Thibodeau was downright giddy after this one. He joked Robinson did “cartwheels’’ when he learned he was being demoted.
“We wanted to get a change,’’ Thibodeau said. “Both those guys are invaluable to us. Last year, Mitch was playing great prior to his injury, then Nerlens killed it the whole second half of the season. We feel really strongly about both guys. We just wanted a different look. The guys are interchangeable.’’
The Knicks lit it up from 3-point range, finishing the night 18 of 38 from 3 (47.4 percent) as the Spurs fell to 9-14.
Barrett led the 3-point charge.
“I think Julius draws so much attention,’’ Barrett said. “Derrick [Rose] and Quick [Immanuel Quickley] drive and it leaves me wide open. I was open and I have to continue to knock them down. The defense was really focused on Julius and we just moved it.’’
Thibodeau couldn’t have been happier with all aspects, including the 10 turnovers and the ball being flung around like last season. Perhaps he has found something.
“I thought great energy, great effort, the focus was much better,’’ Thibodeau said. “It was the unselfishness on both sides of the ball and that’s the way you have to play.’’
A Noel-Robinson tandem might be the formula. Robinson liked the speedier second unit.
“They run so I have to get down there,’’ Robinson said. “With them running it pushes me to run, too.’’
Thibodeau felt he saw a new Robinson, who entered the press room walking funny after falling on his tailbone in the second half when tripped up by Drew Eubanks.
“Activity, high energy, his focus,’’ Thibodeau said of Robinson’s demeanor. “I thought he was terrific. So, second, third effort, protecting the rim, making his decisions at the appropriate time and then the offensive rebounding. Huge.”