There were moments Tuesday night when it looked like the Knicks were on the brink of letting the game slip away. The offense stalled, the Spurs’ depth kept applying pressure, and the margin hovered just out of reach. Then the Knicks closed the way elite teams do.
This was mettle. This was a statement. This was proof the Knicks belong in the title conversation.
Trailing by five to start the fourth quarter, the Knicks ripped off an 8–0 run, ignited by back-to-back three-pointers from Jordan Clarkson. Mitchell Robinson controlled the glass during the surge, grabbing four offensive rebounds and extending possession after possession. It gave the Knicks their first lead since late in the opening quarter, and they never gave it back.
New York pulled away down the stretch to beat the Spurs 124–113 and capture the NBA Cup at T-Mobile Arena.
The turning point came from an unexpected lineup of Jalen Brunson, Tyler Kolek, Clarkson, OG Anunoby, and Robinson. That group flipped the game on its head, bringing energy, ball movement, and physicality that the Spurs could not match.
“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson, they played their ass off tonight,” said Brunson, who was named NBA Cup MVP. “Without them, we don’t win this s–t.”
San Antonio’s supporting cast around Victor Wembanyama had built the lead through three quarters, but the Knicks’ bench delivered the knockout blow. Robinson finished with 15 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end, and posted a plus-9. Clarkson scored 15 points and was plus-15. Kolek added 14 points, five assists, and five rebounds, finishing plus-14.
Coach Mike Brown stayed with Kolek late instead of Mikal Bridges, who struggled to make an impact, a decision that proved decisive.
“All those guys brought something to the table,” Brown said. “It was an easy decision going down the stretch. These were the guys who gave us a lift, so we stayed with them.”
Brown leaned into the Vegas setting and gambled on the lineup, adding another ball-handler to ease pressure on Brunson. The Spurs’ aggressive backcourt, which had disrupted Oklahoma City in the semifinals, had harassed the Knicks for most of the night. The adjustment changed everything.
After allowing 94 points through three quarters, New York clamped down defensively, giving up just 19 points in the fourth while outscoring San Antonio by 16.
“We’re gonna find a way,” Brunson said. “We’re not gonna quit. The game may be ugly, but how are we gonna impact it? Our bench did that tonight.”
Wembanyama may soon become the face of the league, but this night belonged to the Knicks’ stars. Brunson scored 25 points, while Anunoby led all scorers with 28, keeping New York afloat during its rough stretches.
Wembanyama finished with 18 points while coming off the bench as the Spurs managed his minutes. The Knicks were at their best when he was on the floor, outscoring San Antonio by 18 during those stretches. Robinson spent significant time matched up with him, altering shots and dominating the boards.
“Mitch’s ability to challenge Wemby and then put pressure on him on the other end with offensive rebounding, that changed the game,” Brown said.
The Knicks left Las Vegas with more than memories. They left with hardware, momentum, and validation.
A perfect trip, capped by a performance that felt bigger than one game. Banner night at Madison Square Garden suddenly feels inevitable.
“Don’t it look good,” Karl-Anthony Towns said with a smile as he walked into the postgame press conference, “when it says Knicks champions on the shirt.”
It certainly does.
The post Knicks Win NBA Cup Final on Back of Dominant Fourth Quarter appeared first on Real News Now.
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