Quick Read
- Thunder, Spurs, Knicks, and Magic advance to NBA Cup 2025 semifinals in Las Vegas.
- Thunder tied the 2015-16 Warriors for best 25-game start in NBA history (24-1).
- Spurs reached semifinals without Victor Wembanyama, who has been out with a calf injury.
- Semifinals and final will be held in Las Vegas, with all games airing on Amazon Prime Video.
NBA Cup 2025: The Battle for Vegas Begins
The NBA Cup, now in its third season, has quickly become a fixture in the league calendar—a mid-season tournament designed to inject fresh intensity and drama into the NBA’s long grind. As December arrives, the 2025 edition has delivered on that promise, with the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic emerging as this year’s Final Four. Their reward: a trip to Las Vegas, where the semifinals and championship game will crown this season’s Cup champion.
Thunder’s Historic Surge: Can Anyone Stop Them?
The Thunder have been nothing short of dominant. Their emphatic 138-89 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night did more than just secure a place in the semifinals—it tied them with the legendary 2015-16 Warriors for the best 25-game start in NBA history. At 24-1, the Thunder have stormed through both group play and the knockout stage. Their latest victory handed the Suns their worst loss ever, a jarring 49-point defeat that left little doubt about Oklahoma City’s championship credentials.
But while the Thunder are the favorites in Las Vegas (listed at -225 by FanDuel), history teaches us that anything can happen in a high-stakes, single-elimination setting. The Cup format, with its compressed schedule and neutral-site drama, rewards resilience and adaptability just as much as regular season dominance.
Spurs Defy the Odds—Without Wembanyama
San Antonio’s path to the semifinals has been defined by overcoming adversity. In their 132-119 quarterfinal win over the Lakers, the Spurs managed to outplay a star-studded Los Angeles roster featuring Luka Dončić and LeBron James—despite missing their own generational talent, Victor Wembanyama, who’s been sidelined for a month with a calf strain. The team’s ability to step up in Wembanyama’s absence underscores their depth and tenacity. Spurs fans and neutrals alike will be watching closely to see if he returns for Saturday’s high-stakes clash against the Thunder.
Eastern Intrigue: Magic and Knicks Overcome the Odds
The Eastern Conference semifinals promise their own brand of drama. The Orlando Magic staged a stirring comeback against the Miami Heat, erasing a 15-point deficit to claim a 117-108 victory and advance. Across the bracket, the New York Knicks rode a 35-point explosion from Jalen Brunson to dispatch the Toronto Raptors on the road, 117-101. Both teams have shown grit and clutch play in the tournament’s most pressure-packed moments.
Saturday’s matchup between the Magic and Knicks will be a test of nerve and momentum, with each side seeking to capitalize on newfound confidence. For fans, it’s a chance to see which young core can handle the bright lights of Vegas and potentially claim their first-ever Cup title.
The Road to Las Vegas: Bracket, Schedule, and Stakes
The NBA Cup knockout stage began with eight teams: the Heat, Magic, Knicks, Raptors, Suns, Thunder, Spurs, and Lakers. All qualified by finishing group play with a 3-1 record or better, but only the Thunder, Lakers, Raptors, and Magic emerged unbeaten. Quarterfinals were held in the higher seed’s home arenas, but now, the neutral courts of Las Vegas await.
Here’s the schedule for the semifinals and final, all airing live on Amazon Prime Video:
- Saturday, Dec. 13
Magic vs. Knicks | 5:30 p.m. ET
Thunder vs. Spurs | 9 p.m. ET - Tuesday, Dec. 16
Championship Game: Magic/Knicks vs. Thunder/Spurs | 8:30 p.m. ET
The single-elimination format means every possession is magnified. A cold shooting night, a hot hand, or a sudden injury could tip the balance, and the neutral venue only adds to the unpredictability. The Cup’s previous winners—the Bucks (2024) and Lakers (2023)—both used the tournament as a springboard for deeper playoff runs, suggesting there’s more than just pride on the line.
What’s at Stake: More Than Just a Trophy
Beyond the financial incentives and the trophy, the NBA Cup offers something intangible: a chance for rising teams to prove themselves under the spotlight. For the Thunder, a win would cement their place as the league’s new powerhouse. For the Spurs, victory without Wembanyama would be a testament to resilience and coaching acumen. For the Knicks and Magic, a Cup run could galvanize their young rosters and fanbases alike.
Looking Ahead: Who Will Seize the Moment?
As the teams descend on Las Vegas, the basketball world is left with tantalizing questions. Can the Thunder maintain their historic pace against battle-hardened opponents? Will Wembanyama’s return tip the scales for the Spurs? Can the Magic or Knicks ride their momentum to a breakthrough title? And perhaps most intriguingly: Will the NBA Cup continue its evolution from a novelty to a coveted prize that can change a franchise’s trajectory?
One thing is certain—the semifinals and final promise a rare blend of star power, suspense, and unpredictability. In a season already marked by surprises, the NBA Cup’s Vegas finale is poised to deliver another chapter of unforgettable drama.
The 2025 NBA Cup has already lived up to its billing, injecting the midseason with urgency and excitement. With established stars and emerging talents alike vying for a place in history, Las Vegas becomes the proving ground for the league’s next big moment. Whether the Thunder’s dominance continues or a new contender rises, the tournament’s legacy as a catalyst for high-stakes basketball is only growing stronger.