NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks completed a dramatic comeback to capture the 2025 NBA Cup championship Tuesday night in Las Vegas, Nevada, defeating the San Antonio Spurs, 124-113, behind a combination of relentless rebounding, key bench production and timely leadership from the team’s captain Jalen Brunson.
With Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama operating under a minute restriction while recovering from a calf strain, the stage was set for the Knicks to seize a moment of real significance for their loyal fan base—winning its first NBA championship since the 1972–73 season. The opportunity to claim the now-named Emirates NBA Cup carried genuine weight and it showed Tuesday night. However some may choose to view the tournament, which NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the league introduced in the 2023–24 season, the emotion displayed across the players faces made it clear this game mattered.
Brunson finished with 25 points and eight assists in the win and was named NBA Cup MVP after averaging 32.7 points across the entire tournament. While his shooting may have been inconsistent, his control of the game late and his leadership throughout the fourth helped steadied the game for New York during crucial moments.
After the game as part of his opening statement, Mike Brown addressed the media after Jalen Brunson won the NBA Cup MVP:
“When you start talking about MVP candidates, his name is one of the first to come out your mouth. Because on this stage to go get it done while winning. You guys do your job”
OG Anunoby delivered his best performance of the tournament, scoring 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including five three-pointers. Anunoby carried the Knicks offensively in the first half, pouring in 20 points before intermission as New York struggled to contain San Antonio’s guards. During the game, it was mentioned by NBA Hall Of Famer and former Dallas Maverick Dirk Nowitzki how Anunoby reached out to him last season to ask him advice on shooting and it seems like the advice has paid off for Anunoby.
San Antonio led 61–59 at halftime, consistently beating New York off the dribble forcing defensive breakdowns. De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper pushed the pace, while Wembanyama provided rim protection off the bench.
Castle, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year out of UConn, with his family having deep ties to New York City’s street ball/basketball scene, that gritty point guard mentality was evident in his basketball IQ throughout the game.
The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle created problems for the Knicks on Tuesday night as he recorded 15 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds – Image Credit: NBA
The turning for New York point came early in the fourth quarter as Mitchell Robinson, who finished with 15 rebounds—10 offensive—dominated the interior giving New York repeated extra possessions. The Knicks opened the quarter on an 8–0 run and never looked back, overwhelming the Spurs with effort plays and physical defense.
Jordan Clarkson and rookie Tyler Kolek provided critical bench minutes, combining for 29 points and helping ease the offensive burden when Brunson was pressured. Kolek added five assists and five rebounds, while Clarkson attacked mismatches late.
With outside noise growing around the Knicks need for a backup guard or additional ball handler, Tyler Kolek’s name has surfaced in trade rumors. Tuesday’s game became an opportunity for Kolek to audition for that role in front of a Knicks front office in attendance. Coach Brown’s decision to keep Kolek on the floor alongside Brunson late paid off, as San Antonio struggled to adjust to New York’s two guard led lineup.
Victor Wembanyama finished with 18 points and six rebounds but posted a minus-18 in his 24 minutes as the Spurs struggled to match New York’s physicality down the stretch.
After learning of the passing of his grandmother in France, Victor Wembanyama, with a heavy heart, played in Tuesday’s NBA Cup Final vs. the Knicks and recorded 18 points with six rebounds – Image Credit: NBA
“This group earned it,” Brunson said after the game, crediting his teammates before celebrating. “Without them, we don’t win this.”
After the game, Knicks Dominican-American superstar Towns mentioned that he plans to donate his $530,000 prize money from winning the NBA Cup to his foundation in the Dominican Republic to help the community and families in financial hardship build homes.
And before the game, Brunson went in depth and talked about other members of the Knicks organization who don’t get a piece of the prize pool money: “We have a lot of guys and coaches who don’t make as much as some guys on this team, so it’s an added bonus for them as well. You’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for an entire team.”
New York now turns its focus back to the regular season with momentum firmly on its side as they hit the road to face the Pacers on Thursday and a celebration soon to follow Friday at Madison Square Garden with fans prior to their matchup vs. the 76ers.
Follow us on Social Media for updates and exclusive content
Instagram: @latinosportsoficial
Facebook: Latino Sports
Twitter: @latinosports
