Knicks defeat Spurs 124-113 to reach NBA Cup final, with Brunson and Anunoby leading the charge.
Game Overview
The New York Knicks secured a 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs, earning a berth in the NBA Cup final. OG Anunoby poured in 28 points while Jalen Brunson added 25. The victory comes after more than half a century since the Knicks last hung an NBA championship banner in Madison Square Garden.
Key Performances
Brunson’s 25 points were complemented by Anunoby’s 28, giving the Knicks a strong offensive showing. Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds despite a calf injury, leaving the locker room at halftime with a minute left and returning only late in the fourth. Mitchell Robinson dominated the paint, grabbing 15 boards, including 10 on offense in 18 minutes.
Inside Battle
The Knicks out-rebounded the Spurs 59-42, a margin that translated into a 56-44 advantage in points in the lane. The interior dominance helped keep the Spurs in a tight race until the third quarter, when the Knicks began a decisive run.
Momentum Shift
San Antonio led for much of the game, but the Knicks sparked a 13-1 run late in the third quarter that pushed the score to 100-95. From that point forward, the Knicks never trailed again, sealing the win.
Coach Insights – Mike Brown
New York coach Mike Brown said, “This is a single-elimination tournament when you get to a certain point, so every game counts.” He added, “There was pressure on every game if you expect to be who you think you are. When you’re able to have success, it breeds confidence in everybody in the organization.”
Coach Insights – Mitch Johnson
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson reflected on the game, saying, “After 25 games in, I believe that we’ve shown some signs that we can be a pretty good team.” He continued, “We’ve also shown that we have a lot of areas of improvement. I think that’s where we were living today.”
Player Reaction – Brunson
“This is great and we’re going to enjoy this,” Brunson said. “But once we leave tomorrow, we’re moving on.”
Player Reaction – Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama left the post-game news conference early, saying “just lost somebody” on Tuesday.
Financial Incentives
Each player on a standard contract earned an extra $318,560 for winning, bringing the total to $530,933 for even reaching the final.
Standings Impact
Because the game does not count in the standings, both teams remain 18-7, keeping them atop their respective divisions.
Historical Context
The previous four finalists-Los Angeles Lakers, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Milwaukee Bucks-also made the playoffs. The Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals in 2024, and the Thunder won the NBA championship last season.
Upcoming Matchups
The Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, while the Spurs will host the Washington Wizards the same evening.
Key Takeaways
- Knicks advance to NBA Cup final with a 124-113 win over Spurs.
- Brunson and Anunoby led the offense; Towns added double-digit points and rebounds.
- Interior dominance and a late-game run kept the Spurs from trailing again.
The victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated NBA Cup final, with the Knicks and Spurs poised to showcase their championship aspirations.
