New York Knicks Defeat Spurs in NBA Cup Final, End 52-Year Trophy Drought

The New York Knicks ended a historic championship drought on Tuesday night. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs 124–113 to win the NBA Cup. As a result, the franchise claimed its first major trophy in 52 years.

Anunoby and Brunson Lead the Comeback

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 28 points. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson added 25 points and earned NBA Cup MVP honors. Together, they powered a late comeback against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

The victory marked New York’s first banner-worthy achievement since winning the 1973 NBA championship. Consequently, Madison Square Garden will finally see a new trophy raised.

A Championship-Tested Core

The Knicks’ roster reflects championship experience. Brunson, Josh Hart, and Mikal Bridges previously won NCAA titles together at Villanova. Now, they anchor a team with legitimate NBA Finals aspirations.

“We got down and still found a way to win,” Brunson said after the game. “That has to be our mindset going forward.”

Knicks Eye a Finals Push

With this win, New York strengthened its position as a contender in the Eastern Conference. Despite its uneven competition, the Knicks continue to push toward a potential Finals appearance.

Head coach Mike Brown called the title a major milestone in his first season. On the other side, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson pointed to team-wide issues, especially on the glass, as a key reason for the loss.

Towns Delivers Through Injury

Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a courageous performance despite dealing with a calf injury. He finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Although he briefly exited the game twice, he returned late in the fourth quarter to help close out the win.

Mitchell Robinson also made a major impact. He grabbed 15 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end.

Spurs Effort Falls Short

For San Antonio, rookie Dylan Harper scored a team-high 21 points. Victor Wembanyama added 18, while De’Aaron Fox chipped in 16. However, the Spurs struggled defensively and were outrebounded 59–42.

New York sealed the game with a decisive 13–1 run late in the third quarter. From there, the Knicks never looked back.

Financial Reward and Standings

Each Knicks player on a standard contract earned an additional $318,560 from the final. That payout raised their total NBA Cup earnings to $530,933 per player.

Despite the result, the game does not affect regular-season standings. Both teams remain 18–7 and sit atop their respective divisions.

Emotional Night for Wembanyama

After the game, Wembanyama revealed he played while grieving a personal loss. Reports confirmed that his grandmother passed away in France before the final. The 21-year-old answered only two media questions before leaving the podium in tears.

He later said the experience would help prepare him mentally for future playoff challenges.

Star-Studded Atmosphere

As expected, the NBA Cup final drew major attention. Notable attendees included Chris Bosh, Spike Lee, NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and Zach Randolph.

Ultimately, the Knicks’ triumph not only ended a long wait for silverware but also signaled a new era of belief in New York basketball.

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