Quick Read
- The New York Knicks won the 2025 NBA Cup, joining the Lakers (2023) and Bucks (2024) as champions.
- Knicks players earned $530,933 each for the win; Spurs players received $212,373 as runners-up.
- OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 28 points, while Jalen Brunson was named tournament MVP.
- The NBA Cup energizes teams and fans but faces criticism over its group stage format and lack of playoff impact.
- Next year, semifinals will be played at home venues, with the championship game possibly leaving Las Vegas.
Knicks Join NBA Cup Champions, Spurs Shine in 2025 Final
Tuesday night in Las Vegas marked a historic moment for the New York Knicks. After more than five decades without a trophy, the Knicks stormed back from a double-digit deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 124-113, clinching their first NBA Cup and joining the Los Angeles Lakers (2023) and Milwaukee Bucks (2024) as the only teams to win the in-season tournament since its inception. The win didn’t come easily. Jalen Brunson, who had an 11-of-27 shooting night but still managed 25 points and 8 assists, was named the tournament MVP. OG Anunoby led all scorers with 28 points and added 9 rebounds and 3 assists, while Mitchell Robinson dominated the glass with 10 offensive boards (15 total), providing crucial second chances for the Knicks. The bench was equally vital—Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson both contributed double-digit points, and Josh Hart played his trademark energetic game. Karl-Anthony Towns, briefly sidelined by a leg injury, returned to help seal the victory.
The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama (18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks), De’Aaron Fox (16 points, 9 assists), and rookie Stephon Castle (15 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds), showcased their own depth and resilience but couldn’t withstand the Knicks’ fourth-quarter surge. Despite the loss, the Spurs walked away with over $200,000 each in prize money, a testament to the tournament’s financial incentives.
What the NBA Cup Gets Right: Energy, Exposure, and Money
The NBA Cup was designed to inject excitement into the regular season’s early months, giving teams outside the typical playoff hunt something tangible to compete for. According to CBSSports, the single-elimination format of the knockout rounds has delivered high drama and introduced fans to emerging teams, like the Pacers (2023), Rockets (2024), and now the Spurs (2025). For franchises with young, inexperienced rosters, the Cup offers a playoff-like crucible, providing invaluable high-pressure reps that often translate into postseason success. For the Knicks, whose last championship came in 1973, this victory is more than symbolic—it’s a confidence boost and a springboard for the rest of the season.
Financial motivation has proven highly effective. This year, every Knicks player earned $530,933—a substantial bonus, especially for younger or less-heralded teammates. Spurs players collected $212,373 each as runners-up, while semifinalists and quarterfinalists took home $106,000 and $53,000 respectively. The payouts have become a team-bonding tool, with stars eager to help their less-paid teammates, fueling competitive spirit throughout the roster.
Structural Challenges: Group Stage Confusion and Standings Controversy
Despite its successes, the NBA Cup has not been without criticism. Fans and analysts alike have found the group stage confusing. The shifting schedule—Fridays this year, plus a random Tuesday and Wednesday around Thanksgiving—makes it hard for casual viewers to know which games count. The logic behind groupings and the role of point differential remain murky to many. As CBSSports notes, the lack of a familiar tournament structure leaves some fans disengaged.
One glaring issue is the lack of impact on regular-season standings. The Knicks and Spurs both played an extra, high-stakes game, but their Cup performances don’t affect their playoff position. In a league obsessed with wins and tiebreakers, this disconnect undermines the tournament’s significance. As the NBA considers future tweaks, awarding a standings win for the Cup champion could help bridge this gap and incentivize greater buy-in from teams and fans alike.
Vegas Venue and Court Design: Flash vs. Fan Experience
Las Vegas seemed the perfect stage for the NBA Cup finals—a city synonymous with spectacle and the NBA’s Summer League. But the reality has been less glamorous. Fans only learned their teams had made the final a few days before the event, making travel nearly impossible for all but the most dedicated. With Christmas looming, many simply couldn’t rearrange their plans. The resulting atmosphere inside the arena felt flat, especially during earlier games, a problem the NBA has acknowledged. Next year, the semifinals will return to home venues, with the championship game potentially moving out of Vegas as well.
On the court, the Cup trophy design has been praised for its simplicity and distinctiveness, appearing at center court and in the paint. However, attempts to jazz up the tournament with colorful neon courts have mostly backfired. Fans expect a certain aesthetic when tuning into basketball, and gold or bright red floors proved more distracting than inspiring. The league is likely to retain the trophy logo but ditch the flashy colors going forward.
Looking Ahead: The NBA Cup’s Place in the League
The NBA Cup has, in just three years, carved out a unique niche. It’s not the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and for now, it can’t match the emotional stakes of the playoffs. But it gives teams, especially younger ones, a reason to compete early and a stage to shine. The Cup’s ability to launch franchises into the spotlight—Pacers, Rockets, Spurs—is proof of concept, even if its structure needs refinement.
For the Knicks, the 2025 Cup win is more than a payday—it’s a long-awaited taste of victory, a shot of adrenaline for the franchise, and a sign they might be contenders for the bigger prize come June. For the NBA, the challenge is clear: streamline the tournament, clarify its importance, and make it matter in the standings. If they succeed, the NBA Cup could become a beloved fixture—a December drama with real April implications.
Assessment: The NBA Cup’s third season highlighted both its potential and its growing pains. The Knicks’ victory brought long-overdue joy to their fans and demonstrated how the tournament can energize teams, but structural confusion and lack of playoff impact remain hurdles. As the NBA refines the Cup, its future success will hinge on making every game—and every win—count where it matters most.