Knicks vs. Spurs: First-Half Breakdown of the 2025 NBA Cup Final
The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup Final tipped off in Las Vegas with the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs squaring off in a high-stakes matchup that’s already delivering on intensity. Both teams battled through tough brackets to get here - the Knicks took down the Raptors and Magic, while the Spurs knocked off the Lakers and Thunder - and now, under the bright lights, it’s all about execution.
Let’s dive into how the first half unfolded, with a closer look at the rotations, standout performances, and what the numbers are telling us so far.
Knicks Lean on Familiar Five, But Offense Struggles to Click
New York head coach Mike Brown stuck with his go-to starting five, rolling out Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns. It’s a group built on defensive versatility and unselfish play, but in the first half, the offensive rhythm just wasn’t there consistently.
OG Anunoby was the clear bright spot, putting up 20 points on a hyper-efficient 8-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-5 from deep. He looked confident and decisive, hitting catch-and-shoot threes and attacking closeouts when the Spurs overcommitted.
Jalen Brunson added 15 points, but it came on 6-of-15 shooting. He had to work for everything, facing constant pressure and traffic in the lane. Still, his ability to create shots when the offense stalled kept the Knicks from falling into a deeper hole.
Karl-Anthony Towns chipped in 9 points and 7 boards, but he wasn’t as involved as you’d expect in a game of this magnitude. He only took seven shots in 18 minutes, and the Knicks didn’t seem to prioritize getting him touches in the post or in pick-and-pop situations.
Josh Hart brought his usual energy - 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists in 20 minutes - and played solid two-way basketball. His hustle and ability to crash the glass were valuable, but New York needed more scoring punch from the supporting cast.
Mikal Bridges, normally a steady two-way contributor, struggled offensively. He shot just 2-of-8 from the field and missed both of his three-point attempts. The Knicks will need him to find his rhythm in the second half if they want to turn things around.
The bench didn’t offer much relief. Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek combined for just 5 points, and Mitchell Robinson, though active on the glass with 6 rebounds, failed to score in his 7 minutes. Depth scoring was clearly an issue in the first half.
Spurs’ Balanced Attack Keeps Them Just Ahead
San Antonio went with a different approach - head coach Mitch Johnson once again brought Victor Wembanyama off the bench, opting for a starting five of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Luke Kornet. And while it might raise eyebrows, the strategy paid off early.
Luke Kornet was a surprise contributor, scoring 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting. He gave the Spurs a steady interior presence and capitalized on defensive breakdowns around the rim.
De’Aaron Fox played the role of floor general to perfection - 9 points and 8 assists in 18 minutes. He controlled pace, probed the defense, and made the right reads, even as the Knicks tried to trap and rotate to limit his driving lanes.
Devin Vassell added 12 points and hit a pair of threes, giving the Spurs some much-needed spacing. He’s been a reliable perimeter threat throughout the tournament, and that continued here.
Stephon Castle, the rookie guard, showed poise beyond his years. He had 6 points and 7 assists, playing a clean game and making smart decisions. His ability to handle pressure and keep the offense flowing gave San Antonio a steady hand in the backcourt.
Off the bench, Dylan Harper provided a spark with 8 points, including two makes from beyond the arc. And while Wembanyama didn’t light up the box score - 4 points, 4 rebounds, and a block - his presence altered shots and forced the Knicks to think twice about attacking the paint.
San Antonio’s bench outscored New York’s, and their overall ball movement - 16 assists on 24 made field goals - was a key difference. The Spurs didn’t rely on one player to carry the load. Instead, they moved the ball, found the open man, and trusted their depth.
Halftime Snapshot: Spurs 61, Knicks 59
It’s been a tight, back-and-forth affair through the first 24 minutes. The Spurs hold a slim 61-59 lead, thanks to balanced scoring and smart execution. The Knicks are right there, buoyed by Anunoby’s hot hand and Brunson’s shot creation, but they’ll need more from their supporting cast - especially Bridges and Towns - if they want to close the gap.
Defensively, both teams have had their moments. The Knicks forced a few key turnovers and held the Spurs to just six made threes, but San Antonio’s ball movement has kept them one step ahead. On the other end, the Spurs have done a solid job of contesting shots and limiting second-chance points.
With one half to play, the stage is set for a dramatic finish in Vegas. The Knicks need to tighten up their rotations and find more offensive balance, while the Spurs will look to keep moving the ball and getting contributions from up and down the roster.
Stay tuned - this one’s far from over.