NBA Cup Final Set: Knicks & Spurs Survive Vegas Semifinal Thrillers

NBA Cup - Midseason Tournament Semifinal Showdowns

The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup, the NBA’s official midseason tournament has reached its dramatic final stages with the Final Four descending on Las Vegas for a set of must watch games.

Semifinal 1 — Knicks vs. Magic

The New York Knicks advanced to the Cup Final after a thrilling 132–120 win over the Orlando Magic in their semifinal matchup. Jalen Brunson exploded for 40 points, pacing New York with explosive scoring and veteran poise down the stretch.

• New York Knicks – Led by Brunson and a well-rounded attack, the Knicks balanced lockdown defense with efficient offense to overcome Orlando and secure their place in the Emirates NBA Cup title game.

• Orlando Magic – Powered by youthful athleticism and a high energy offense, the Magic battled hard but couldn’t handle New York’s scoring surge late, ending their Cup run just short of the final.

Semifinal 2 — Spurs vs. Thunder

In a classic Vegas thriller, the San Antonio Spurs stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder 111–109, ending OKC’s 16 game winning streak and sending San Antonio into the NBA Cup Final. Victor Wembanyama’s return from a calf injury was a defining moment he scored 22 points with 15 of them coming in the fourth quarter while others like Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and De’Aaron Fox stepped up in clutch moments.

• San Antonio Spurs – With Wembanyama back and key contributions across the lineup, the Spurs outlasted a Thunder team that had been dominant all season, showcasing resilience and Finals-level poise.

• Oklahoma City Thunder – Despite an electrifying season and early Cup dominance, OKC’s incredible run fell just short as they couldn’t close out San Antonio in the critical final minutes, leading to just their second loss this season.

NBA Cup Championship Game — Tuesday Night

All eyes now turn to Tuesday’s NBA Cup Final in Las Vegas between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs. This marks the culmination of the Emirates NBA Cup, a tournament designed to add middle season meaning and excitement to the NBA calendar.

Expect a contrast of styles:

• Knicks bring veteran savvy, interior toughness, and one of the Cup’s most efficient offenses.

• Spurs answer with elite athleticism, interior dominance, and the returning force of Wembanyama when it matters most.

The winner not only takes home hardware but also cements early season bragging rights before the All Star Break.

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