NBA Cup Final: 5 Things New York Knicks Must Do To Defeat San Antonio Spurs

The New York Knicks are slight favorites when they face the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday for the Emirates NBA Cup championship. Jalen Brunson and Co. booked a ticket to the title round after dispatching the Orlando Magic 132-120 on Saturday. Behind a sizzling offense that is the second most efficient in the league, the Knicks hope to bag the championship.

Standing between the Knicks and the title are the young but emerging Spurs. San Antonio caused a buzz on social media on Saturday when it took down the OKC Thunder, the heavy favorites to win the title. Victor Wembanyama returned from a 12-game absence to lead the Spurs to a 111-109 win.

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5 Things the New York Knicks must take care of to edge San Antonio Spurs for 2025 NBA Cup title

#5. The Knicks have to be ready for a 48-minute battle against San Antonio Spurs

The OKC Thunder led by 12 points after 11 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs. Oklahoma City’s pressure defense, poise and execution kept the young Spurs on their heels. The Thunder, who often overwhelm opponents, kept throwing haymakers, but Victor Wembanyama’s team refused to tap out.

To win the NBA Cup, the New York Knicks must embrace a potential end-to-end battle for 48 minutes against their opponents. New York can’t afford to be complacent if it can gain a significant advantage on a team that just outlasted the Thunder.

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#4. New York Knicks’ transition defense must be on point

The San Antonio Spurs average 16.1 points per game in transition points. Against the Thunder, who allow just 11.2 ppg off the break, the Spurs were deadly. Behind speedy guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, they hit their average but created more opportunities before Oklahoma City’s defense could set.

The New York Knicks aren't on OKC’s level in transition defense, so they must step up on this end. With or without Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs are opportunistic on the break, which could cause trouble for the Knicks in the NBA Cup Finals.

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#3. Jalen Brunson must keep his teammates involved

Jalen Brunson is on a hot stretch, averaging 32.8 ppg on 55.9% shooting, including 45.7% from deep during the New York Knicks' five-game winning run. As good as Brunson has been, the Knicks are deadlier when others are involved.

New York averages 27.0 assists per game, the ninth-best in the NBA. When they move the ball around, they often get cleaner looks at the 3-point line. The Knicks’ 37.8% clip from deep is a result of their ball and man movement. They have to take advantage of that strength against the San Antonio Spurs' relentless defense.

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#2. Knicks need to keep the Spurs’ guards out of the paint

The San Antonio Spurs opened their NBA Cup showdown against the Thunder, going 0-for-13 from 3-point distance. They steadily got back into the game by attacking the paint despite OKC’s perimeter ball hawks and elite rim protection.

New York arguably doesn’t have a rim deterrent like Chet Holmgren, so it has to be a collective effort. Jalen Brunson, Jordan Clarkson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges have to keep San Antonio’s speedy guards off the paint.

In the fourth quarter against the Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs made nine field goals, six coming from the restricted area.

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#1. New York Knicks must make the most of Victor Wembanyama’s limited minutes

The numbers show that Victor Wembanyama was the biggest difference maker in the Spurs’ win over the Thunder. Hardwood Junkies summarized Wemby’s impact:

“In 21 minutes with Wemby on the floor, the Spurs had a 132.6 Offensive Rating and an 85.1 Defensive Rating. “In 27 minutes with him off the floor, the Spurs had an 84.7 Offensive Rating and a 116.9 Defensive Rating.”

The NBA Cup could go to the Big Apple if the New York Knicks make the most out of Wemby’s limited minutes. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson could bump Wembanyama’s playing time to around 25-30 after playing him 21 minutes against the Thunder. Still, there will be long stretches when the 7-foot-5 center isn’t on the floor to trouble the Knicks on both ends.

Edited by Michael Macasero