Knicks Rally Past Spurs 124-113 to Win NBA Cup/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The New York Knicks captured their first NBA Cup title after rallying to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 in Las Vegas. Jalen Brunson earned MVP honors, while OG Anunoby led all scorers with 28 points. Despite not counting in regular-season standings, the victory boosts confidence and adds to the Knicks’ championship aspirations.
Knicks Win NBA Cup Quick Looks
- Knicks defeat Spurs 124-113 to win the NBA Cup title.
- OG Anunoby scored 28 points; Brunson added 25 and won MVP.
- Knicks’ strong second-half rally powered by 13-1 run.
- Karl-Anthony Towns battled injury but posted 16 points, 11 rebounds.
- Knicks dominated rebounding: 59-42 advantage, including 10 offensive boards by Robinson.
- Spurs led for most of the game before Knicks’ comeback.
- Dylan Harper scored 21 for San Antonio; Wembanyama added 18.
- Brunson, Hart, Bridges bring championship pedigree from Villanova.
- Players earned $318,560 each for winning the Cup.
- Game does not affect season standings; both teams remain 18-7.
Deep Look
Knicks Capture NBA Cup Title After Rallying Past Spurs 124-113 in Las Vegas
The New York Knicks added a new piece of hardware to their trophy case Tuesday night in Las Vegas, claiming the 2025 NBA Cup with a 124-113 comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs. While it wasn’t the long-awaited NBA championship that Knicks fans have craved since 1973, the Cup banner will soon hang proudly in Madison Square Garden.
Led by OG Anunoby’s 28 points and NBA Cup MVP Jalen Brunson’s 25-point performance, the Knicks overcame a spirited Spurs team powered by rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and emerging scorer Dylan Harper.
“This is great and we’re going to enjoy this,” Brunson said postgame. “But once we leave tomorrow, we’re moving on.”
Second-Half Surge Seals It
The Knicks trailed for most of the contest but surged in the final minutes of the third quarter. A game-changing 13-1 run gave them a 100-95 lead they never relinquished. From there, New York maintained control and finished the job with poise on both ends of the floor.
New York’s rebounding was a decisive factor, as they outmuscled the Spurs 59-42 on the glass. Mitchell Robinson alone pulled down 15 rebounds in just 18 minutes, including 10 offensive boards that gave the Knicks extra opportunities in the paint. That dominance helped them outscore San Antonio 56-44 in the lane.
Despite playing through a calf injury, Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds. He briefly exited late in the second quarter and missed part of the third before returning in the final stretch to help secure the win.
Spurs Show Promise, But Fall Short
Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 21 points, Wembanyama added 18, and De’Aaron Fox chipped in 16. San Antonio led for the majority of the game but struggled to contain New York’s rebounding and ball movement in the second half.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged both his team’s progress and areas for improvement.
“After 25 games in, I believe that we’ve shown some signs that we can be a pretty good team,” Johnson said. “We’ve also shown that we have a lot of areas of improvement.”
Wembanyama left the postgame press conference early, citing a personal loss earlier in the day.
A Championship Culture Growing in New York
For a franchise still chasing its first NBA title in over 50 years, the Knicks’ NBA Cup win represents more than just a trophy—it signals a team that’s learning how to win. Several core players—Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges—cut down nets together at Villanova, and that championship pedigree appears to be translating at the pro level.
Knicks coach Mike Brown emphasized the importance of the single-elimination format and the mentality required to succeed.
“There was pressure on every game if you expect to be who you think you are,” Brown said. “When you’re able to have success, it breeds confidence in everybody in the organization.”
Financial Incentives and Future Outlook
Beyond the pride of hoisting the NBA Cup, each Knicks player with a standard contract received an additional $318,560 in prize money, bringing their tournament total to $530,933 per player.
Though the game does not impact the regular-season standings, both teams remain 18-7 and are currently leading their respective divisions. If recent history is any indication, this bodes well: the four previous NBA Cup finalists all went on to make the playoffs, with the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA title in 2025.
What’s Next?
- Knicks: Travel to Indiana for a Thursday night matchup.
- Spurs: Return home to host the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
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