The path of the 2025 NBA Cup has been full of surprises, with only the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks left to compete for the title, who will face each other in the final tonight (at 2.30 am Italian time) in Las Vegas.
The Spurs arrive at the final match full of enthusiasm after the return of Victor Wembanyama and the consequent success over the reigning champions Thunder.
For the Knicks, however, the final could mark a turning point on a mental level, after the recent disappointments in the playoffs.
It promises to be a balanced and high-voltage challenge – both with records of 18 wins in 25 games and 5 out of 6 in the Cup– between an emerging team looking for consecration and one that aims to confirm its contender status on the parquet.
“It’s a very high stakes game ($500,000 per player for the winners), and both teams will be totally focused on winning it,” said Victor Wembanyama. «This shows that we are preparing better and better, it is a step forward towards even more important games in the playoffs. It’s a slightly complicated explanation, but ultimately it’s simple: we want to win every race, and this one puts something new on the table, so we want to win it even more.”
“Having the chance to play games like that – obviously it’s not the same, but it gives you a taste of what the playoff climate can be like and different officiating,” Fox added. “Matches of this type will help us when the time comes to play the real playoffs.”
As mentioned, the Knicks have more post-season experience, but still consider the Cup as a springboard towards more important goals.
«I think the Cup is important for us above all for the energy it could bring to the team», explains Karl-Anthony Towns. «He brings great energy, great confidence, that feeling of victory. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Cup or the NBA Finals: winning, in any context, creates that sort of addiction. By winning this competition we will become even more determined in the title race.”
IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS. ONE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. 🍿
The Spurs and Knicks meet in the @emirates NBA Cup Championship TONIGHT at 8:30pm/et on Prime!
Who will lift the NBA Cup? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/R06T3cJzrJ
— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2025
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