The New York Knicks are the 2025 NBA Cup champions, completing a dramatic comeback to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 on Tuesday night and stake an early claim as one of the NBA’s elite teams this season.
Despite a difficult shooting night from Jalen Brunson and a first-half injury scare to Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks erased a double-digit deficit to capture their first NBA Cup title. They become the third franchise to lift the trophy, joining the Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and Milwaukee Bucks (2024).
For a franchise that hasn’t won an NBA championship since 1973 and hasn’t reached the Finals since 1999, the victory represents a significant milestone.
Prize Money and Stakes
Each Knicks player will earn $530,933 in prize money, a substantial boost—especially for younger players and role contributors. The Spurs, who finished runners-up, will receive $212,373 per player.
Spurs Start Strong Behind Wembanyama
San Antonio entered the final with momentum after upsetting the 24-2 Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals, led by the return of Victor Wembanyama. The French phenom logged 25 minutes in the final—up from 21 in the semis—as the Spurs surged to an 11-point lead late in the third quarter.
Seven Spurs finished in double figures, while Brunson struggled to replicate his 41-point semifinal performance, shooting just 11-of-27 from the field. With Towns visibly uncomfortable after an apparent injury, New York needed help from elsewhere.
Knicks Bench Delivers When It Matters
The response came from the supporting cast.
OG Anunoby led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, adding nine rebounds and three assists. Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson provided key scoring off the bench, while Mitchell Robinson dominated the glass with 10 offensive rebounds and 15 total boards, repeatedly extending possessions.
As always, Josh Hart made his impact felt with relentless energy and all-around play.
“Without Tyler Kolek, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Clarkson, we don’t win this game,” Brunson said postgame while accepting NBA Cup MVP honors.
Statement Win for New York
While questions remain about San Antonio’s youth and Wembanyama’s health, the victory was a major statement for the Knicks. In recent postseasons, off nights from Brunson or Towns often proved costly due to limited depth. This time, three bench players stepped up in decisive fashion, showcasing a more complete roster.
The Knicks now sit second in the Eastern Conference at 18-7, just 2.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons, further strengthening their case as a legitimate contender.
A Unique NBA Cup Quirk
One notable footnote: statistics from the NBA Cup championship game do not count toward regular-season totals, unlike every other game in the tournament.
