For the first time in more than half a century, the New York Knicks are champions. Sort of.
In a high-octane clash of styles at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 16, the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 124-113, capturing the 2025 NBA Cup and securing the franchise’s first major title since the 1973 NBA Finals.
While the Spurs dazzled with the fluid, team-first basketball reminiscent of their dynasty years, it was New York’s trademark grit — and a dominant 28-point performance from forward OG Anunoby — that ultimately delivered the hardware to Manhattan.
“It’s been a long time coming for this city,” said Knicks captain Jalen Brunson, who was named the NBA Cup MVP. “We didn’t just want to win; we wanted to bring that respect back to New York.”
A clash of philosophies
The game was a wire-to-wire thriller that pitted New York’s physical, isolation-heavy attack against San Antonio’s mesmerizing ball movement. The Spurs, led by the returning Victor Wembanyama, looked nothing like a young team overwhelmed by the moment.
Wembanyama, playing in only his second game back from a calf injury and on a minutes restriction, was a two-way force. The 21-year-old phenom finished with 18 points, six rebounds and a staggering six blocks, anchoring a Spurs unit that saw seamless contributions from De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and sophomore standout Stephon Castle.
“They move the ball like a machine,” Knicks head coach Mike Brown said of the Spurs. “We knew we had to muddy it up. We couldn’t let them play in a rhythm, or they would have run us out of the gym.”
Anunoby and Brunson deliver
While Brunson took home the MVP trophy, it was Anunoby who set the tone.
And set it early, he did.
The defensive stalwart was a force on both ends, effectively sizing up Wembanyama and hitting a crucial double-jab step corner three in the latter half that stifled a Spurs rally. Anunoby finished with a team-high 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting.
Karl-Anthony Towns provided a steadying presence in the paint with 16 points and 11 rebounds. However, the unsung hero of the night was center Mitchell Robinson. Robinson grabbed 15 rebounds — including a monstrous 10 on the offensive glass — giving the Knicks crucial second-chance opportunities that broke the Spurs’ spirit.
Heartbreak for Wembanyama
The victory celebration was juxtaposed with a somber revelation from the Spurs’ locker room. Following the game, a visibly emotional Wembanyama revealed that his grandmother had died earlier that day.
“I’m sorry, I lost somebody today,” Wembanyama said, fighting back tears during his postgame press conference before abruptly departing.
The revelation added a layer of profound respect to Wembanyama’s performance. Despite the personal tragedy and physical limitations, he battled until the final whistle, leading a Spurs effort that fell just short of the prize.
The win marks a definitive turning point for the Knicks organization. After decades of near-misses and rebuilding years, the 2025 NBA Cup serves as validation for the team’s “win-now” construction.
For New York, the 52-year wait is over. Again: sort of.
The Knicks take on the Pacers on Dec. 18 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
