New York Knicks end long trophy drought with stunning fourth-quarter comeback to win NBA Cup

The New York Knicks waited decades for a moment like this, and they seized it under the brightest lights in Las Vegas. With the game slipping away and Victor Wembanyama inching closer to his first NBA trophy, New York found another gear. They have turned their energy into execution.

By the final buzzer, the Knicks were chasing history and finally they held it. The Knicks are Emirates NBA Cup winners of 2025.The game was intense as Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs showed flashes of brilliance but the Knicks held the high ground chasing the win with both offense and defense. Finally, the Knicks secured the 124-113 win in the high-octane matchup.

New York Knicks win NBA Cup with fourth-quarter comeback

Down late after trailing for much of the night, the Knicks delivered their best basketball when it mattered most.

A 13-1 run late in the third quarter shifted control. OG Anunoby scored 28 points, attacking mismatches and finishing through contact. Jalen Brunson followed with 25 points.

Jordan Clarkson added a jolt of pace and confidence that broke San Antonio’s rhythm. Mitchell Robinson owned the paint, grabbing 15 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass. That effort fueled a massive 59-42 rebounding edge and a 56-44 advantage in points in the lane.

Karl-Anthony Towns played through a calf issue, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds despite leaving the game twice. His return in the fourth quarter brought calm when New York needed it most.After the win, Brunson credited the collective effort, saying, “Without Tyler Kolek, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Clarkson, we don’t win this game.”

Jalen Brunson shines as Knicks end trophy drought

Brunson’s performance earned him NBA Cup MVP honors. Alongside Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, his Villanova pedigree showed in late-game composure.

This group has closed big moments before, and it showed.For San Antonio, Dylan Harper led with 21 points, while Wembanyama added 18 and De’Aaron Fox scored 16. The Spurs led early, but New York’s physicality wore them down.The victory ends a long trophy drought and earns the Knicks a banner beside the iconic 1973 championship in Madison Square Garden. Each player also earned a significant financial bonus, though the bigger reward may be belief.At 18-7, New York sits near the top of the East. This win does not count in the standings, but it may count far more when the season reaches its final months.Also Read: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver finally breaks silence on disastrous Chris Paul split with Clippers: “I was dismayed”