The New York Knicks haven’t hung a championship banner inside Madison Sq. Backyard since 1973. Leon Rose’s job was to vary that, and these days he’s been performing like he’s working out of time.
The Knicks’ lead government has made nothing however massive swings, forcing open a championship window by mortgaging each future draft choose he might discover to construct a group of highly-paid, in-their-prime stars with five-out spacing, lockdown wing protection, and a real lead engine taking each massive shot. The urgency of the Knicks’ mission pulses via each second of this season, when the East has opened up because of a pair of premature Achilles tears and extra fortunate ping-pong balls bouncing the West’s manner. The Knicks have to win the East this yr. The rest could be thought-about an ethical failing of nearly everybody concerned.
There’s no telling the place the Knicks will dangle their 2025 NBA Cup banner (sure, groups dangle these), which they earned with an extremely gritty 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas on Tuesday night time. Possibly Madison Sq. Backyard will show it alongside the Atlantic Division title banners that nobody cares about, or the Billy Joel banner that was raised in 2006 on the nadir of New York’s organizational malaise. It’s not the banner Rose needs to hold, nevertheless it nonetheless serves as a proof of idea that this group has what it takes to win massive video games towards probably the most gifted groups within the NBA.
The Spurs could be younger, however their efficiency within the Cup confirmed they already have to be taken significantly within the championship image. San Antonio did the not possible by ending the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder’s 16-game profitable streak within the semifinals by using the emotional excessive and 8-foot wingspan of Victor Wembanyama’s return to motion. The Spurs are constructed to problem the Thunder long-term with De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Fortress rising right into a trusted core across the 7’5 French alien, however within the Cup closing they realized about all of the methods proud, veteran groups will battle again, particularly when Wembanyama remains to be on a minutes restriction.
Wembanyama splashed three straight leap photographs on the finish of the third quarter that might have ended a lesser group on contact. Not the Knicks. Jordan Clarkson ripped a 3 on the very subsequent possession, and after a Knicks cease, Tyler Kolek knocked down one other one to trim the deficit to 5 factors by the third quarter buzzer.
Within the fourth, Mitchell Robinson’s physicality swung the sport. Robinson grabbed six of his 10 offensive rebounds on the night time within the interval, gashing San Antonio’s small lineup round Wembanyama by working via any would-be field outs. Jalen Brunson might need gained Cup MVP, however even he couldn’t reply Taylor Rooks’ questions with out lauding his teammates for what was a real group effort:
This was not a very good night time by Brunson’s requirements with 25 factors on 27 photographs with 4 turnovers, however in some methods proving them might win a high-stakes sport towards an elite opponent with out Brunson at his greatest is precisely what this group wanted. New York did it their manner, incomes 11 extra possessions than San Antonio on the night time (in response to this method). The NBA is turning into a possession league and the Knicks can win the possession battle each night time with this group. OG Anunoby was spectacular on each ends. Josh Hart’s vitality and rebounding simply can’t be replicated. On an evening when Miles McBride and Landry Shamet had been out with accidents, Tyler Kolek stepped up with the perfect sport of his profession, and Jordan Clarkson gave his greatest effort of the season.
Can the Knicks experience their NBA Cup championship to actual glory within the playoffs? There’s 4 extra months till the postseason march begins, however just a few issues are already clear.
The Knicks are in their very own tier within the East
The Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers had been the 2 apparent favorites within the East coming into the season, and each of them had been in Finals-or-bust mode. Up to now, the Cavs have gone bust. Cleveland has had a nightmare season, with a latest Evan Mobley calf pressure including to Darius Garland’s banged up toe, Max Strus’ fractured foot, Ty Jerome’s free agent departure, and Jarrett Allen’s underwhelming marketing campaign. The Cavs nonetheless have loads of time and loads of expertise to get proper, however in the meanwhile they don’t seem to be near the Knicks, and it’s going to take a significant turnaround for them to ever be.
The Detroit Pistons have risen in Cleveland’s stead, and appear to be the Knicks’ greatest rival. Detroit is main the convention with an elite protection, clutch shot-making from Cade Cunningham, and an All-Star flip from younger massive man Jalen Duren. Detroit can completely push the Knicks once more after pushing them within the first spherical final season, however for now New York appears like a strong favourite in that sequence.
The remainder of the East? I’m not shopping for the Raptors, my preseason choose of the Orlando Magic simply can’t determine learn how to maximize their two greatest gamers, and the Hawks, Warmth, and Sixers simply don’t have the horses. Possibly Boston can problem the Knicks if Jayson Tatum returns from his Achilles tear this season, however that just about appears like an excessive amount of to ask.
Is it loopy to suppose the Knicks could be a much bigger favourite within the East than the Thunder are within the West. OKC has to take care of the Nuggets, Rockets, and Spurs, three groups that really feel considerably higher than any East challenger this yr. The trail to the Larry OB nonetheless runs via OKC, however there’s little question who the favourite is within the East. It’s the Knicks’ yr. It needs to be.
No NBA Cup champion has ever superior within the NBA Playoffs
Okay, that is solely the third yr of the NBA Cup, however to this point the Cup Curse is actual.
- The Lakers gained the Cup in 2024 solely to be eradicated within the first-round by Denver in 5 video games
- The Bucks gained the Cup in 2025 and proceeded to get knocked out within the first-round for third straight yr
The Knicks are going to win a sequence this yr, as a result of they gained a sequence the previous three years, and that is their greatest group but. Making the Finals shall be a distinct beast, the Knicks shall be favored in each sequence.
New York nonetheless has its issues. Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities have to show they will each be on the ground in massive moments regardless of each carrying targets on their chest defensively. If KAT has to go to the bench, effectively, there goes the five-out spacing. Robinson is proving to be an enormous distinction maker for this group, however he’s some of the harm susceptible gamers within the league. Can he actually keep wholesome for a full postseason run? It appears like New York wants him to be.
This the yr Knicks followers have been ready for. Giannis rumors shall be ready in the event that they fall brief any time earlier than the Finals, and hell, perhaps even when they attain the Finals. This isn’t the banner New York needs, however profitable the NBA Cup no less than exhibits the Knicks actually can compete with the league’s greatest this yr.
