By James Edwards III, Darnell Mayberry, Mike Prada and Jared Weiss
A 15-3 run to begin the fourth quarter powered the New York Knicks to a 124-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs to safe the third annual NBA Cup on Tuesday evening in Las Vegas.
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 28 factors, and Jalen Brunson added 25 whereas incomes the event’s Most Worthwhile Participant award. However the recreation turned in that early stretch of the fourth quarter because of vital contributions from New York’s bench. Veteran guard Jordan Clarkson scored 15 factors, second-year guard Tyler Kolek chipped in with 14, and middle Mitchell Robinson dominated the glass to the tune of 10 offensive boards (and 15 total) in simply 18 minutes.
The Spurs constructed a lead within the third quarter behind guards De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Fortress and Dylan Harper, then obtained a flurry of factors from famous person Victor Wembanyama, who was on a 25-minute restrict in his second recreation again from a calf harm. However their offense slowed down within the fourth quarter, as they scored simply 19 factors within the body and simply 6 factors within the last 3 1/2 minutes.
The win marked the Knicks’ sixth straight and tenth of their previous 11, although the sport technically doesn’t depend towards the NBA’s regular-season standings. Regardless of that, Tuesday’s victory was a press release that the Knicks belong within the NBA championship dialogue and are essentially the most big-game-tested group close to the highest of the Jap Convention standings.
New York entered the NBA Cup quarterfinals simply 3-6 away from Madison Sq. Backyard. However behind Brunson and well timed contributions from their bench, the Knicks turned the nook within the NBA Cup.
They secured a 16-point highway win in opposition to the Toronto Raptors within the quarterfinals and rode Brunson’s season-high 40 factors within the semifinals to defeat the Orlando Magic by 12 of their constructing. Tuesday, the Knicks assembled a gritty win by outlasting a Spurs group that defeated the beforehand dominant Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the different semifinal and managed the finale for a lot of the competition.
New York closed with sufficient power — a dominant 35-19 fourth quarter — that now leaves little question the Knicks are for actual.
“What followers we’ve obtained, love you guys.”
Mike Brown shouts out all of the touring followers who made it to Las Vegas for his or her Emirates NBA Cup Championship recreation 🏆 pic.twitter.com/YNWooWJXAD
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) December 17, 2025
Knicks’ depth delivers historic NBA Cup win
In case you thought the Knicks have been top-heavy, suppose once more.
New York didn’t win the NBA Cup as a result of Brunson was the most effective scorer on the planet, which he’s able to being. The Knicks didn’t win as a result of Karl-Anthony Cities shot the ball like we all know he’s able to. Mikal Bridges wasn’t spectacular. Josh Hart has had higher video games.
The Knicks received due to heroics from the bench. Tyler Kolek, a second-round draft decide final season, scored double digits off the bench. Jordan Clarkson hit big 3 after big 3. Mitchell Robinson dominated Victor Wembanyama on the offensive glass.
New York wanted one thing from everybody to lift its first championship banner since 1973. Sure, the Knicks are going to hold a banner inside MSG as a result of everybody on the group agrees that while you work for one thing, you honor that.
The Knicks entered the dialog as a reputable NBA title contender by beating the Spurs, the group that took down the almighty Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder for a spot within the last.
New York doesn’t want Giannis Antetokounmpo. It doesn’t must make a giant commerce. It must see whether or not what it has is as actual because it appeared Tuesday evening. — James Edwards III, Knicks beat author
Spurs falter late as Knicks clamp down
The Spurs performed effectively a lot of the evening, as their three guards pushed the strain on protection and tempo on offense. This was wanting like the best Spurs recreation of their newfound id, even when Wembanyama was struggling. However once they obtained to crunch time, the Knicks protection tightened up, and the Spurs couldn’t create good offense.
This was a contemporary have a look at the Spurs’ optimum closing lineup of their three level guards, Devin Vassell and the large man, which didn’t look able to creating 3s in opposition to a locked-in protection. Wembanyama didn’t have a path to creating good pictures for himself and was out of place loads on protection.
This was a great take a look at for the Spurs’ competition aspirations, however they didn’t meet the second. They aren’t removed from being prepared for high-level basketball, however they’ve extra work to do. — Jared Weiss, Spurs beat author
