The stage is set in Las Vegas for the 2025 NBA Cup final, and it’s a matchup that blends star power, rising rivalries, and a whole lot of intrigue. The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will go head-to-head Tuesday night with the tournament title on the line-and if the semifinals were any indication, we’re in for a battle.
Let’s start with the Spurs, who punched their ticket to the final by doing what almost no one else has managed this season: beating the Oklahoma City Thunder. San Antonio handed the league leaders just their second loss of the year in a nail-biting two-point win that felt like more than just a semifinal-it felt like the birth of a rivalry that could define the Western Conference for years to come.
Victor Wembanyama made his return from a calf injury in that game, and he didn’t ease his way back in-he exploded off the bench for 22 points in just 21 minutes of action. That kind of efficiency is rare, even for a player of his generational talent.
But what really stood out was how balanced the Spurs were across the board. Wembanyama was one of four players to notch 20 or more points, alongside Devin Vassell, De’Aaron Fox, and rookie Stephon Castle, who continues to prove he belongs on the big stage.
The Spurs' offensive depth and defensive versatility make them a problem for any opponent, and they showed that in full against OKC. Fox’s pace and shot creation, Castle’s poise, and Vassell’s two-way impact give San Antonio layers that go well beyond their 7-foot-4 centerpiece. This isn’t just Wembanyama’s team-it’s a squad that’s growing up fast around him.
On the other side, the Knicks arrive in Vegas with momentum and a chip on their shoulder. They handled the Orlando Magic in the semis with a 12-point win that was more dominant than the final score suggests.
Jalen Brunson was electric, dropping 40 points and setting the tone from the opening tip. When Brunson’s in that kind of rhythm, the Knicks’ offense hums-and in this tournament, he’s looked every bit like a player ready to lead a team to hardware.
What’s more, every Knicks starter hit double figures in that semifinal win. That kind of balance is exactly what head coach Tom Thibodeau wants: a team that defends hard, shares the ball, and leans on its depth. With Julius Randle anchoring the frontcourt and the supporting cast stepping up, New York has the kind of cohesion that’s tough to rattle-even under the bright lights of Vegas.
This is the third edition of the NBA’s in-season tournament, and for the third straight year, we’ll crown a new champion. The Lakers took the inaugural title in 2023, the Bucks followed in 2024, and now either the Knicks or Spurs will get their turn to celebrate on the Strip.
For the Knicks, a win would be a statement-a sign that their rebuild has turned a corner and that they’re ready to be taken seriously in the Eastern Conference. For the Spurs, it would be a coronation of sorts for Wembanyama and the young core that’s quickly coalescing around him.
Two teams. One trophy.
And a whole lot of storylines ready to unfold. Tip-off can’t come soon enough.