Jalen Brunson Wins NBA Cup MVP as New York Ends 52-Year Trophy Drought!

The Garden’s Long Wait is Over: Jalen Brunson Crowns Knicks as NBA Cup Champions!

LAS VEGAS — For the first time in over half a century, a championship banner is headed to Madison Square Garden. Behind a masterclass from their captain, the New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 on Tuesday night to capture the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, ending a grueling 52-year trophy drought.

Leading the charge was none other than Jalen Brunson, who was named the NBA Cup MVP after an “almost unanimous” vote. Brunson finished the championship game with 25 points and 8 assists, but it was his leadership throughout the tournament—averaging a staggering 33.5 points per game—that solidified his status as the king of New York.

A Relentless Comeback

The victory didn’t come easy. The Knicks found themselves staring down an 11-point deficit late in the third quarter after Victor Wembanyama ignited the T-Mobile Arena with a personal scoring burst. However, the Knicks responded with the grit that has defined the Mike Brown era, outscoring the Spurs 35-19 in a dominant fourth-quarter blitz.

While Brunson took home the hardware, he was quick to deflect the credit to his teammates during the trophy presentation:

“We found a way to win. That’s going to be our motto going forward. OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson—they played their hearts out tonight. Without them, we don’t win this.”

Key Performers

• OG Anunoby: The defensive specialist turned offensive engine, leading all scorers with 28 points and hitting five 3-pointers.

• Karl-Anthony Towns: Despite battling a calf injury that briefly forced him to the locker room, Towns gutted out 16 points and 11 rebounds.

• Mitchell Robinson: The “anchor” dominated the glass with 15 rebounds (10 offensive), providing the second-chance opportunities that broke the Spurs‘ spirit.

• Jordan Clarkson & Tyler Kolek: The bench duo combined for 29 points, providing the spark that turned a five-point deficit into a double-digit lead in the final frame.

Breaking the Curse

The last time the Knicks hoisted a major trophy, Richard Nixon was in the White House and the year was 1973. For decades, the blue and orange faithful have endured heartbreak, but this NBA Cup title marks a potential shift in the league’s hierarchy.

By winning the NBA Cup, Brunson joins the likes of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo as MVPs of the mid-season tournament. More importantly, he has given New York fans something they haven’t had since the days of Walt “Clyde” Frazier: a championship celebration.

As the Knicks return to Manhattan, the conversation now shifts from “when will they win?” to “how many can they win?” If this tournament run was any indication, the Jalen Brunson era is just getting started.