The New York Knicks are walking out of Las Vegas with hardware - and not just any hardware. On Tuesday night, they were crowned 2025 NBA Cup champions after a 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs, capping off a tournament that gave us a taste of playoff-level basketball in December.
For the Knicks, it’s a statement. For the rest of the league, it’s a warning.
The Spurs, who reached the title game after stunning the Oklahoma City Thunder in the semifinals, didn’t go down quietly. But the Knicks’ blend of star power, depth, and cohesion proved too much. With the in-season tournament now behind us and roughly a third of the regular season in the books, it’s the perfect time to reassess the landscape - specifically, who’s best positioned to challenge the defending champion Thunder in their quest to repeat.
Here’s a look at five teams that could stand in OKC’s way:
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Lakers have their flaws, especially on the defensive end. But when you’ve got an offensive trio like Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, you’re never out of a series.
Even with LeBron missing the first 14 games of the season, L.A. has played well enough to sit tied for the No. 3 seed in the West. That says something.
They’re not the most complete team on this list, but they’ve got the firepower and playoff savvy to make life difficult for anyone - including the Thunder.
4. New York Knicks
It’s time to take the Knicks seriously - not just as NBA Cup champions, but as legitimate Eastern Conference contenders. While the Detroit Pistons made a strong case to be included here, New York gets the nod thanks to one key ingredient: playoff experience.
The Knicks have the top-end talent, the right mix of role players, and a chemistry that’s only grown stronger with time. Winning the Cup was no fluke - this team has the tools to make a deep run come spring.
3. San Antonio Spurs
You could call it recency bias, but the Spurs earned this spot by handing Oklahoma City just their second loss of the season. And they did it without Victor Wembanyama at full strength earlier this year - a testament to their depth and resilience.
San Antonio’s young core plays fast, defends hard, and has the kind of athleticism that mirrors OKC’s own blueprint. They may still be a year away from true title contention, but they’re ahead of schedule and fearless.
That makes them dangerous.
2. Houston Rockets
Houston’s season has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but the upside is undeniable. The loss of Fred VanVleet has been felt, particularly in crunch-time execution, but the Rockets still boast the second-best point differential in the league - trailing only the Thunder.
The addition of Kevin Durant to a young, defensive-minded roster has been as impactful as advertised. When they’re clicking, Houston looks like a team built for May and June, not just for highlight reels.
1. Denver Nuggets
No surprises here. The Nuggets remain the Thunder’s biggest threat - and possibly their equal.
These are the two best teams in the league, led by the two best players in the league. It’s that simple.
Barring injuries, blockbuster trades, or a seismic playoff upset, it’s hard not to see these two squads meeting again in the Western Conference Finals. The margins between them are razor thin, and every matchup feels like a chess match at the highest level.
The Big Picture
The Thunder are still the team to beat.
But as the in-season tournament showed us, the gap isn’t as wide as it might have seemed. The Knicks just proved they can win on a big stage.
The Spurs are growing up fast. The Rockets have a recipe that’s working.
And the Nuggets? They’re still the champs until someone says otherwise.
The race is heating up - and we’re just getting started.