The New York Knicks are the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup champions. They beat the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 in the final game on Tuesday night in Las Vegas. It was a close contest for most of the way, but the Knicks pulled ahead in the fourth quarter.
New York trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half. The Spurs looked strong, especially with Victor Wembanyama back and making big plays. He scored 18 points and hit some tough shots. But the Knicks fought back. They outscored San Antonio 35-19 in the final period to seal the win.
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 28 points. He shot well and made key baskets. Jalen Brunson added 25 points and was named the tournament MVP. He averaged 33.2 points per game across the NBA Cup games. That helped him earn the honour.
The bench played a big role too. Mitchell Robinson grabbed 15 rebounds in just 18 minutes off the bench. Many of those were offensive boards, giving New York extra chances. The team finished with a big edge on the glass, 67-56 overall. Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek also stepped up with solid scoring.
This win means a lot for the Knicks. It’s their first trophy of any kind since the 1973 NBA championship. That’s over 50 years without hardware. Fans in New York have waited a long time for something to celebrate. The players each get about $531,000 in prize money. The Spurs players take home around $212,000 as runners-up.
Coach Tom Thibodeau’s team showed toughness. They rallied when it mattered most. Now the Knicks head into the rest of the season with momentum. They’re sitting at a strong record and look like a real contender.
On the Spurs side, it was a good run. Young players like Wembanyama and others gave them a chance against a tough Knicks squad. Even in the loss, Wembanyama showed emotion after the game. He was dealing with a personal matter but still competed hard.
The NBA Cup has grown in its third year. Games felt competitive, and the final delivered excitement. The Knicks proved they can win under pressure. For now, they’re holding the cup and enjoying the moment.
This victory doesn’t count toward regular-season stats, since the final is separate. But it builds confidence. New York fans are hopeful this is a sign of bigger things ahead in the playoffs.
Overall, it was an entertaining night in Vegas. The Knicks came out on top and ended a long drought. Basketball fans got a good show from both teams.
