The New York Knicks have secured the 2025 NBA Cup championship, showcasing their potential for further success this season as they triumphed on Tuesday.
Despite Jalen Brunson’s struggles with an 11-of-27 shooting performance and an injury that briefly affected Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks came back from a double-digit deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs 124-113, marking their third NBA Cup title. They now stand alongside the Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and Milwaukee Bucks (2024) in this achievement.
This victory holds significant meaning for the Knicks, who haven’t tasted NBA Finals success since 1973 and have not reached the Finals since 1999.
As a reward for their victory, every player on the Knicks will receive $530,933 in prize money, providing a valuable boost to several younger and less prominent teammates. The Spurs, finishing as runners-up, will each take home $212,373.
Key Contributions from the Knicks Bench
Initially, San Antonio gained the upper hand after defeating the 24-2 Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals, with Victor Wembanyama returning for increased playtime. The Spurs built an 11-point lead late in the third quarter, with seven players scoring in double digits, while Brunson struggled compared to his 41-point semifinal performance. However, the Knicks found crucial contributions from other players as Towns battled through apparent injury.
OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, along with nine rebounds and three assists. Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson also made significant contributions off the bench, while Mitchell Robinson’s 10 offensive rebounds (15 total) kept possessions alive. Brunson acknowledged the importance of his teammates’ performances in bringing home the victory.
This victory underscores the Knicks as an Eastern Conference team to watch. Previous playoff seasons often saw the team falter when Brunson or Towns had off nights, but this time, three bench players delivered crucial performances. With the Knicks currently positioned second in the East at 18-7, trailing the Detroit Pistons, this development is significant.
