The New York Knicks (19-7) captured their first major silverware in over half a century on Tuesday night, December 16, 2025, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 to win the Emirates NBA Cup. In a performance that "should frighten the league," the Knicks relied on a relentless, collective effort rather than a singular superstar scoring outburst to dismantle a talented Spurs squad at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The immediate score and summary of the NBA Cup final saw the Knicks erase an 11-point deficit late in the third quarter. While San Antonio, led by Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper, controlled the rhythm for 30 minutes, the Knicks unleashed a 35-19 fourth-quarter blitz. A decisive 13-1 run early in the final frame flipped the script, turning a 94-89 deficit into a lead they would never relinquish. This victory marks New York's first official trophy since their 1973 NBA championship.

Key stats from the game highlighted the depth that has become the Knicks' greatest weapon. Seven players finished in double figures, led by OG Anunoby with 28 points (including five 3-pointers). Tournament MVP Jalen Brunson contributed 25 points and 8 assists, but it was the "dirty work" from the bench that stole the show. Mitchell Robinson delivered a dominant defensive cameo, grabbing 15 rebounds (10 offensive) in just 18 minutes, while Jordan Clarkson (15 points) and rookie Tyler Kolek (14 points) sparked the fourth-quarter comeback. For the Spurs, rookie Dylan Harper scored 21, while Wembanyama was held to 18 points on 25 minutes of play.

The strategic factor in the Knicks vs Spurs win was New York's ability to maintain high-level production despite losing Karl-Anthony Towns for over 12 minutes due to a left calf issue. Unlike previous Knicks teams that lived or died by one player's hot hand, this roster thrived through "villain-like" interior dominance and offensive rebounding. They outrebounded the Spurs 59-42 and secured a 56-44 advantage in points in the paint. Coach Mike Brown, in his first season with New York, praised the squad's "doggedness," stating that being the "last one standing" in this tournament augurs well for a deep playoff run.

Looking at the future outlook, the Knicks leave Las Vegas as the second seed in the Eastern Conference and winners of six straight games. Every player on the roster will receive a $530,933 bonus, while the runner-up Spurs take home roughly $212,000 per player. As the league pivots back to the regular season, the Knicks have sent a clear message: their balanced, positionless depth and rebounding tenacity make them a legitimate threat to anyone in a seven-game series.