The New York Knicks are stepping into the NBA Cup semifinals with a mix of momentum, urgency, and just enough uncertainty to keep things interesting. Saturday’s showdown against the Orlando Magic isn’t just another game-it’s a high-stakes battle between two franchises chasing their first-ever trip to the NBA Cup final. And with both rosters dealing with key injuries, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Let’s start with the Knicks. They’ve won four straight and eight of their last ten, including a convincing 117-101 win over the Raptors to punch their ticket to the semifinals.
Sitting at 17-7 and leading the Atlantic Division, New York is playing with a confidence that’s hard to ignore. The chemistry is clicking, the defense is dialed in, and Jalen Brunson continues to be the steadying hand that keeps everything moving in rhythm.
Brunson has been the heartbeat of this Knicks squad. His ability to control pace, make smart decisions in the halfcourt, and rise to the moment in big games has turned him into the floor general New York needs in a pressure-cooker like this. And with Karl-Anthony Towns providing spacing and presence in the paint, the Knicks have found a balance that’s tough to disrupt.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. The injury report is a real factor heading into Saturday.
Pacome Dadiet is questionable with a left ankle sprain, while Miles McBride is already ruled out with the same injury. Landry Shamet remains sidelined with a shoulder issue.
That’s a chunk of depth missing for a team that relies heavily on its rotation to maintain defensive intensity and floor spacing. In a game where every possession could swing the outcome, those absences matter.
Orlando’s not coming in at full strength either. The Magic will be without Franz Wagner, a key two-way piece, due to a high ankle sprain.
Moritz Wagner is also out as he continues recovering from a knee injury, and Colin Castleton remains sidelined with a fractured thumb. That’s a hit to their frontcourt depth and playmaking, and it puts even more weight on the shoulders of Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane.
Banchero’s physicality and ability to create mismatches will be central to Orlando’s attack. He’s capable of taking over stretches of the game, especially if the Knicks are forced to go small or rely on less experienced defenders.
Bane, meanwhile, brings the kind of perimeter shooting and shot creation that can flip momentum in a heartbeat. If he gets hot, the Magic become a different team.
This is unfamiliar territory for both franchises. Neither the Knicks nor the Magic have made it this far in the NBA Cup before.
But now they’re one game away from the final, and the stakes are real. This isn’t just about a midseason trophy-it’s about proving something.
About showing that the rebuilds, the roster moves, the coaching adjustments have all led to a team ready to win on a big stage.
For New York, the formula is clear: let Brunson lead, let Towns anchor, and don’t flinch. For Orlando, it’s about turning adversity into belief, leaning on Banchero’s strength and Bane’s shot-making to carry them through a shortened rotation.
No shortcuts. No excuses.
Just one game to decide who plays for the Cup. The lights are bright, the moment is big, and both teams are ready to find out who owns the night.