Jordan Clarkson Finds His Moment, Lifts Knicks in NBA Cup Finals Win Over Spurs
For much of the 2025-26 season, Jordan Clarkson’s game has looked out of rhythm. The numbers tell the story: 9.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game - all career lows for the former Sixth Man of the Year.
And in a city like New York, where the lights are bright and the expectations even brighter, those struggles haven’t gone unnoticed. Even some of his own teammates couldn’t help but crack a smile at his expense during rough stretches.
But basketball has a funny way of rewarding resilience. And on the biggest stage of the NBA’s midseason tournament, Clarkson reminded everyone exactly who he is - a scorer who can heat up in a flash and change the course of a game.
With the Knicks trailing early in the fourth quarter of the NBA Cup Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the 33-year-old guard erupted. One three-pointer after another, Clarkson turned the tide and sent Madison Square Garden into a frenzy. His fourth-quarter barrage helped the Knicks break away from a pesky Spurs squad that had hung around for three quarters.
By the final buzzer, the Knicks had secured a 124-113 win and the NBA Cup trophy. OG Anunoby led the way with 28 points, but it was Clarkson’s 15 off the bench - most of them in the game’s most critical moments - that gave New York the jolt it needed. It was vintage Clarkson: fearless, fluid, and fiery when it mattered most.
On the other side, San Antonio was led by rookie Dylan Harper, who poured in 21 points and showed flashes of the star he’s projected to become. The Spurs gave the Knicks all they could handle, but in the end, New York’s depth and veteran poise carried the day.
Beyond the win, Clarkson’s performance may have ripple effects for the Knicks’ front office as the February trade deadline approaches. The Eastern Conference remains wide open, and New York is widely expected to be active in the market. They’ve reportedly shown interest in Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo - a blockbuster move that would come with a steep price tag - and they’ve also been linked to New Orleans guard Jose Alvarado, a Brooklyn native who could bring energy and defense to the backcourt.
But if Clarkson can build on this moment and reclaim some of the scoring spark that made him one of the league’s most dangerous bench weapons, the urgency to upgrade the guard rotation might ease. He’s always been a rhythm player, and sometimes, all it takes is one night to get it back.
For now, Clarkson has his moment - and the Knicks have their trophy. In a season that’s still unfolding, that’s no small thing.