The Knicks won the NBA Cup-but don’t expect a banner to go up at Madison Square Garden.
After knocking off the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 in the midseason tournament final, New York has decided not to raise a banner to commemorate the victory, per reports. It’s a move that bucks the trend set by the Lakers and Bucks, who both hoisted NBA Cup banners after winning the tournament in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
But this isn’t about disrespecting the accomplishment. Inside the Knicks organization, there’s a clear message: the job’s not finished.
The focus is on the bigger prize-the NBA Finals in June. That’s the banner they want hanging in the rafters next to the ones from 1970 and 1973, the franchise’s two championship years.
Still, the Knicks aren’t brushing aside what this tournament win means. The plan is to celebrate with the fans on Friday night when they return to MSG to host the Philadelphia 76ers.
And make no mistake-this is a team that’s hungry, but also aware of the moment. Winning the NBA Cup isn’t the ultimate goal, but it’s a sign of real progress.
To put it in perspective, the last banner raised at the Garden was for the 2012-13 Atlantic Division title-a season that feels like a lifetime ago for Knicks fans who’ve endured more than their share of ups and downs. So while the rafters stay untouched for now, the energy around this team is shifting. The Knicks are winning meaningful games again, and they’re doing it with purpose.
This tournament run wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It was a showcase of a team that’s learning how to win, how to handle the spotlight, and how to rise to the occasion. That matters, even if it doesn’t come with a banner-yet.