And After 52 Years...: Anunoby, Brunson Help New York Knicks End Five-Decade Crown Drought With NBA Cup Title

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 11:04 IST

The Knicks secured their first silverware since the 1973 with their win over San Antonio Spurs as Anunoby starred with 28 points while Brunson added 25 points.

NBA Cup 2025 Champions New York Knicks. (X)

New York Knicks ended their 52-year trophy drought with a 124-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup final on Tuesday as OG Anunoby starred with 28 points.

Forward Anunoby hit five three-pointers, and point guard Jalen Brunson added 25 points as New York secured their first silverware since the 1973 NBA Finals at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

San Antonio entered the final with high spirits after upsetting top seeds and reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City in Saturday’s semi-finals, thanks to a standout performance from French prodigy Victor Wembanyama.

However, a resilient all-round performance from New York dashed San Antonio’s hopes of finishing their cup campaign with a win.

The Knicks limited Wembanyama to 18 points while delivering a balanced offensive performance to pull ahead in the fourth quarter after trailing by 11 points late in the third.

Seven Knicks players scored in double figures, with Anunoby and Brunson supported by Karl-Anthony Towns (16 points), Jordan Clarkson (15), Tyler Kolek (14), and 11 points each from Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.

Mitchell Robertson made a significant defensive contribution off the bench, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking two shots.

“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robertson — they played their hearts out tonight," said Brunson, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

“Without them, we don’t win this," Brunson said. “We were down by 10 or so, and we found a way to win. That’s going to be our motto going forward: we’re going to find a way."

San Antonio seemed on track for victory when Wembanyama hit a 27-foot three-pointer with just over two minutes left in the third period, putting the Spurs ahead 92-81.

But Clarkson and Kolek made three-pointers to trim the Spurs’ lead to five points, and the Knicks dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring their opponents 35-19 to secure the win.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown said winning the title bodes well for the team’s chances of a championship run in the NBA Finals during his first season in charge.

“Any time you can participate in an event where you’re the last one standing and you can hang up a banner, especially at iconic MSG (Madison Square Garden), you take that seriously," Brown said. “And all of our guys took it seriously."

San Antonio’s scoring was led by Dylan Harper with 21 points off the bench, while De’Aaron Fox was the standout starter with 16 points.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson attributed the defeat to collective shortcomings rather than Wembanyama’s performance.

“I think we struggled more as a team… We gave up a lot of offensive rebounds, which hurt us getting out in transition," Johnson said.

“When we played with the appropriate space, the right spacing, and the right tempo, we got some really good looks. And we missed them. I think it was probably more of a team issue than Victor struggling individually."

However, Johnson believes San Antonio has plenty to build on as they pursue leaders Oklahoma City in the Western Conference.

“Playing really competitive games against really good teams," Johnson said. “Seasoned, experienced teams that have been in similar situations. To be able to feel those games, work those games, be in the moment in those games, I think is a valuable experience."

News sports nba And After 52 Years...: Anunoby, Brunson Help New York Knicks End Five-Decade Crown Drought With NBA Cup Title

Read More