The New York Knicks are the 2025 NBA Cup champions and made a strong case Tuesday night that they are one of the top title contenders this season.
Despite a cold shooting night from Jalen Brunson and an injury to Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks erased a double-digit deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 124–113, capturing their first NBA Cup title. New York joins the Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and Milwaukee Bucks (2024) as the only teams to win the tournament.
Brunson struggled from the field, shooting 11-of-27, but still finished with 25 points and earned NBA Cup Most Valuable Player honors. Towns battled through a calf injury to post 16 points and 11 rebounds despite leaving the floor twice. He headed to the locker room just before halftime and exited again midway through the third quarter, not returning until late in the fourth.
The Knicks’ physicality ultimately decided the game. New York dominated the boards 59–42, including a 10-offensive-rebound performance from Mitchell Robinson, who finished with 15 total rebounds in just 18 minutes. That rebounding effort fueled a 56–44 advantage in points in the paint.
San Antonio controlled much of the game early, riding the momentum of a semifinal upset over the 24–2 Oklahoma City Thunder and an increased workload for Victor Wembanyama, who saw his minutes rise from 21 in the semifinals to 25 in the final. The Spurs built an 11-point lead late in the third quarter and had seven players score in double figures.
The turning point came late in the third, when New York ripped off a 13–1 run to take a 100–95 lead. The Knicks never trailed again. OG Anunoby led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, adding nine rebounds and three assists. New York’s bench provided a crucial spark, with Jordan Clarkson scoring 15 points and rookie guard Tyler Kolek adding 14. Robinson’s work on the offensive glass extended possession after possession and helped wear down the Spurs.
For San Antonio, Dylan Harper led the way with 21 points, while Wembanyama added 18 and De’Aaron Fox chipped in 16.
Beyond the trophy, the win came with a financial reward. Each Knicks player with a standard contract earned $530,933 in prize money for reaching and winning the final, while Spurs players received $212,373 each as runners-up.
Although the NBA Cup final does not count toward the regular-season standings, both teams remain 18–7 atop their respective divisions. The victory marked New York’s sixth straight win and its 10th in the past 11 games. More importantly, it served as a statement: the Knicks are built for big moments and firmly belong in the NBA championship conversation.
