The New York Knicks are officially the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup champions after defeating the Spurs in the final.

Desert Reign: Knicks Overpower Spurs to Capture 2025 Emirates NBA Cup

LAS VEGAS — The New York Knicks are officially the kings of the desert. In a high-stakes showdown at T-Mobile Arena, the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 124–113 to claim the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup championship. The victory marks the franchise’s first major trophy of any kind since their 1973 NBA Championship, sparking a “Bing Bong” celebration that echoed from the Las Vegas Strip all the way to Seventh Avenue.

A Tale of Two Halves

The championship game was a clash of styles and generations. The Spurs, led by the generational talent of Victor Wembanyama, played a fluid, fast-paced game that saw them take a double-digit lead in the third quarter. However, the Knicks’ veteran poise and physical “grit-and-grind” identity eventually wore down the young San Antonio squad.

New York turned the tide with a devastating 35–19 fourth-quarter surge, ignited by relentless offensive rebounding and timely perimeter shooting.

Stars of the Night

• OG Anunoby: The defensive specialist turned into an offensive juggernaut, leading all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including five critical three-pointers.

• Jalen Brunson: Despite a difficult shooting night, the Knicks’ captain remained the engine of the offense. Brunson finished with 25 points and 8 assists, earning the 2025 NBA Cup MVP honors for his dominant performance throughout the tournament.

• Mitchell Robinson: Coming off the bench, Robinson was the unsung hero, hauling in 15 rebounds—including a staggering 10 offensive boards—which fueled 32 second-chance points for New York.

• Karl-Anthony Towns: Despite battling a left calf injury that forced him to miss significant time in the second half, Towns contributed a vital 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The Spurs’ Valiant Effort

The San Antonio Spurs showed why they are the league’s most dangerous rising power. Dylan Harper led the way for the silver and black with 21 points, while Victor Wembanyama put up 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 blocks in just 25 minutes of action.

It was later revealed that Wembanyama played through immense personal grief, having lost his grandmother earlier that day. His performance, coupled with the playmaking of De’Aaron Fox (16 points, 9 assists) and Stephon Castle (15 points, 12 assists), pushed the Knicks to the absolute brink.

The Prize and the Legacy

With this victory, the Knicks become the third team in history to lift the NBA Cup, joining the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks. Beyond the bragging rights and the silver trophy, each Knicks player and head coach Mike Brown will take home a $514,971 prize.

“We found a way to win, that’s it,” said MVP Jalen Brunson during the trophy presentation. “This city has waited a long time for a moment like this. We wanted to bring that respect back to New York.”

As the confetti settled in Las Vegas, one thing became clear: the New York Knicks are no longer just “contenders”—they are champions.