The Emirates NBA Cup may still be in its early stages as an addition to the NBA calendar, but it’s already proving to be more than just a midseason distraction. It’s become a proving ground-an early-season test of depth, chemistry, and composure under pressure. And this year, it was the New York Knicks who passed that test with flying colors, outlasting the San Antonio Spurs in a tightly contested championship game to claim the Cup.
For the Knicks, it’s a win that carries more weight than just a trophy. It’s a sign of growth, of a franchise that’s been clawing its way back into relevance finally getting a taste of success on a national stage. And while the Lakers and Bucks-the previous two Cup winners-chose to raise banners to mark their victories, the Knicks are taking a different route.
According to reporting from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks will not be raising a banner at Madison Square Garden to commemorate their Emirates NBA Cup title. Instead, they’ll celebrate with fans during their next home game on Friday night. It’s a subtle but telling decision from a franchise that hasn’t raised a championship banner since 1973, when they took down a star-studded Lakers squad featuring Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, and Wilt Chamberlain.
That 50-year banner drought looms large in New York, and perhaps that’s part of the reasoning here. The Knicks seem to be signaling that while the Cup win matters-and it does-they’re saving the rafters for the big one.
Still, the celebration is happening, and it should. Knicks fans showed up in full voice during the team’s run in Las Vegas, and this moment belongs to them as much as it does to the players.
And make no mistake: this Knicks team looks different. They’ve got the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and are playing with the kind of confidence and cohesion that suggests a deep playoff run isn’t just possible-it might be expected.
Winning the Emirates NBA Cup might not carry the same prestige as the Larry O’Brien Trophy, but it’s a meaningful step. It’s a sign that this group can rise to the occasion when the lights are brightest.
If anything, the Cup could serve as a springboard. The Knicks didn’t just win-they beat a talented Spurs squad in a high-pressure environment. That kind of experience matters come June, when the stakes are even higher and the margin for error even smaller.
Meanwhile, out west, the Lakers are still trying to find the right mix to make a run of their own. The team is reportedly scanning the trade market for young 3-and-D players-guys who can defend multiple positions and knock down shots from the perimeter. It’s a clear signal that L.A. knows where its weaknesses lie, especially with the Western Conference as deep and competitive as it’s been in years.
If the Knicks do make it to the Finals, the Lakers would love to be waiting for them. But to get there, they’ll need reinforcements-and fast. The trade deadline looms, and every move matters.
For now, though, the spotlight belongs to New York. The Knicks may not be raising a banner, but their Emirates NBA Cup win is more than just a midseason accolade-it’s a statement. And if they keep playing like this, there may be a more traditional banner in their future.