Knicks secure NBA Cup; Brunson named MVP
knicks-secure-nba-cup-brunson-named-mvp
LAS VEGAS — The New York Knicks erased a second-half deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 on Tuesday night, clinching the NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena.
OG Anunoby paced New York with 28 points, while Jalen Brunson added 25 and was voted tournament MVP. The victory gives the franchise its first championship-style banner since the 1973 NBA title.
The Knicks relied on interior dominance, outrebounding San Antonio 59-42. Mitchell Robinson grabbed 15 rebounds, 10 on the offensive glass, contributing to a 56-44 advantage in points in the paint.
New York surged late in the third quarter, using a 13-1 run to move in front 100-95 and never trailed again. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 16 points and 11 boards despite a calf issue that briefly sent him to the locker room before halftime and limited him during the second half.
Dylan Harper led San Antonio with 21 points, Victor Wembanyama scored 18, and De’Aaron Fox had 16.
Each Knicks player on a standard contract earned an additional $318,560 for winning the tournament, pushing individual payouts to $530,933 including the prize for reaching the final.
The result does not affect regular-season records, leaving both clubs at 18-7 atop their respective divisions. History suggests the run could matter in April: the prior four NBA Cup finalists all reached the postseason, with the Oklahoma City Thunder capturing last season’s NBA championship.
Source: ESPN
