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After a riveting second half comeback, the Knicks captured the NBA Cup with a 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs. A benefit of the cup is that it offers a glimpse into how teams react in high-leverage situations, how coaches figure out rotations and how the best players handle the bright lights.
New York’s run in the NBA Cup was quick with three elimination games over the span of a full week, but it offered a chance to see how a future run in the playoffs could look in 2026.
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Let’s look at three things we learned about the team after the NBA Cup title win.
Consistent scorer
After a 25-point, eight-assist night against San Antonio, Jalen Brunson took home the NBA Cup MVP award. It was a pedestrian night for the Knick captain, who shot 11-for-27, but his overall Cup performance was impressive.
Brunson averaged 33.3 points on 54.7 percent from the field and 6.7 assists through the three Cup elimination games.
The two-time All-Star has already cemented himself as one of the top performers in franchise history in just three and a quarter seasons. He has guided New York to more playoff series wins (four) than the franchise had in 22 seasons prior to his arrival.
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And even with a new head coach in Mike Brown and an adjustment of having the ball in his hands less, Brunson has thrived.
Though there’s often talk about how hard it is to win with a diminutive point guard, Brunson has quieted doubters with clutch play. In high pressure situations, with elite defenses game-planning to short circuit the Knicks offense, Brunson has delivered constantly.
New York has added the pieces around Brunson to form a contender, but the NBA Cup was a reminder that the Knicks point guard is the ultimate factor that gives this team a chance to make the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.
Third option
The Knicks’ pecking order at the top has always been clear. Brunson is the team’s go-to scorer, and Karl-Anthony Towns is a clear number two option. Behind that, the Knicks have a committee of role players that are all capable of taking over the scoring on any given night.
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/3-things-learned-knicks-during-143114832.html
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Publish date : 2025-12-18 14:31:00
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