Assessing the Impact of Karl Anthony Towns’ Double Double and the Raptors’ Key Player Injuries on the Knicks vs Raptors Result
The New York Knicks secured a dominant 117-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, December 9, 2025, punching their ticket to the NBA Cup semifinals for the first time in the tournament's history. The win, which extends the Knicks' winning streak to four games, was a complete team effort but was ultimately spearheaded by star guard Jalen Brunson, who delivered an explosive performance that the shorthanded Raptors could not withstand. The Knicks will now travel to Las Vegas to face the Orlando Magic in the semifinals on Saturday.
The score and highlights from the Knicks vs Raptors quarterfinal were decided by a massive shift in momentum during the second quarter. The Raptors, led by Brandon Ingram's 17 points, started hot and ended the first quarter with a 39-37 lead. However, the Knicks' defense clamped down dramatically in the second frame, resulting in a phenomenal 34-13 run that completely overwhelmed Toronto. Jalen Brunson was the catalyst, scoring 20 of his game high 35 points in the opening quarter and finishing the half with 26 points, giving the Knicks a commanding 69-52 halftime lead. Brunson’s efficient shooting, making 13 of his 19 field goal attempts for the night, was a major highlight.
The strategic effectiveness of the Knicks was rooted in their depth and all around contribution, especially with the return of Karl Anthony Towns. Towns, who was a game time decision due to a calf issue, recorded a double double with 14 points and 16 rebounds, providing a needed anchor in the paint. Josh Hart added a highly efficient 21 points, while OG Anunoby chipped in 13 points against his former team. The smothering New York defense took full advantage of the Raptors’ missing firepower, with Toronto playing without key players RJ Barrett (knee) and Immanuel Quickley (illness), which allowed the Knicks to cruise to the double digit victory.
Looking ahead, the future outlook for the New York Knicks (17-7) is filled with confidence as they carry serious momentum into the NBA Cup semifinals. Advancing past the quarterfinal stage, where they had previously stalled, is a significant organizational hurdle cleared. They now face the Orlando Magic, a team they recently defeated, for a spot in the championship game. For the Toronto Raptors (15-11), the loss marks their fourth straight defeat and highlights a significant slump at a critical time. They must now focus on getting their main rotation players back from injury to stop their slide in the Eastern Conference standings as they return to the regular season schedule.