NBA Cup Final Preview: Knicks vs. Spurs, Dec. 16, 2025

SB Nation

On June 25, 1999, the San Antonio Spurs, led by an aging David Robinson and young upstart Tim Duncan, outlasted the Knicks, a scrappy group that became the first No. 8 seed to make the NBA Finals despite

losing franchise icon Patrick Ewing to an Achilles tear three weeks prior, in Game 5 of the 1999 NBA Finals to close out the series.

Avery Johnson hit a go-ahead jumper in the final minute, but even after a missed jumper from Latrell Sprewell, the Knicks still had a chance to force Game 6 with 2.1 seconds left. Alas, the inbound pass from Charlie Ward came a second too late, with Sprewell catching the ball directly under the basket, trapping him and sealing the Knicks’ fate.

That day was the last time the Knicks played in the NBA Finals. The Knicks and Spurs haven’t crossed paths many times since, especially considering that the Knicks were usually irrelevant when Gregg Popovich and company were perennial contenders for the next two decades.

On that 1999 NBA Finals Knicks team was Rick Brunson, who spent the series-deciding game entirely in a jumpsuit on the bench. 9,671 days later, his son leads the Knicks in the biggest game they’ve played against the Spurs since that fateful day in the Summer of ‘99, notably against another generational talent drafted No. 1 overall.

Or is it?

Technically, this game doesn’t count. Win, lose, or the Martians invade, and this is called a draw; this game does not count towards the record books. The Knicks will enter this game 18-7, and they’ll leave Las Vegas at 18-7, regardless of whether the NBA Cup trophy comes home with them.

How much that means is a story for another day. The alternate viewpoint is that this is the first time in 31 years that the Knicks are one win away from a trophy presentation ceremony. It’s the first time in 12 years that, with a win, they can raise a banner at Madison Square Garden (should they? Again, up for discussion). This game means something to the players, especially guys like Tyler Kolek, so let’s treat it like it matters.

If I told you entering this season there’s a Western Conference team with a 24-2 record, you’d probably assume they’d have cobbled together enough wins to make this cup final, but of course, they lost their second game to Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

Wemby has dropped 40 on the Knicks twice in three career matchups, but he’d have a hard time doing it tonight. He didn’t start on Saturday due to a minutes restriction, and it seems like he won’t be at full strength, especially considering this game will not count towards the standings. Still, when he’s on the court, the Spurs are a well-oiled machine.

Even without him on the court, they’ve started to build a dangerous roster that complements him well, all while remaining financially flexible with a bevy of draft picks to pivot. They find ways to win, even without an overpowering offense and a mid-level defense. It’ll be a tough test for the Knicks.

Projected Starters

De’Aaron Fox will go down in history as the first co-star that Wembanyama has in his potential Hall of Fame career. Acquired (rescued?) from the Sacramento Kings at the trade deadline last season, Fox settled in to be a sturdy first option when Wemby was sidelined, averaging 24 points and six assists on efficient 49/39/84 splits. “Swipa” is one of the fastest players in the league and can provide some problems with a good amount of peskiness defensively and the ability to fly in transition.

Stephon Castle is the reigning Rookie of the Year, the second in a row for the Spurs, who’ve benefitted from solid lottery luck. The UConn product returned last week from a hip injury that cost him over three weeks and he’s settled back in, dropping 22 points on OKC in the semifinal. He’s gotten much more efficient inside the arc (60.6%), but continues to struggle from deep, shooting under 29% on four attempts a game for the second year in a row. If he starts making them, we’re in trouble.

Devin Vassell is the second-longest tenured Spur behind Keldon Johnson and has had an interesting career trajectory. The former lottery pick that was once mocked to the Knicks in 2020 was on a solid upward trajectory with all-star potential while the Spurs were rebuilding in his first few seasons, but has been put into a new role now that Wembanyama has become the franchise. Taking the least amount of shots he has since 2021-22, Vassell is up to nearly 40% from deep as a frequent catch-and-shoot option.

Harrison Barnes is the grizzled veteran. While Chris Paul played that role well for them last season, the old guard in San Antonio remains the former NBA champion. This team will be playing playoff basketball, and the 33-year-old who spent time with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green in Golden State will be a valuable contributor. He’s shooting 41% from three and is sneakily averaging over a steal per game after never approaching that mark before.

Victor Wembanyama is the future. As a rookie in San Antonio, he dropped a 40-20 masterpiece to allow the tanking Spurs to outlast a 61-point masterpiece from Jalen Brunson in overtime. On Christmas Day in the World’s Most Famous Arena last season, he dropped 40, but was overshadowed by Mikal Bridges’ signature game as a Knick. The sky is the limit, and only those unlucky injuries can stop him. He may come off the bench again as part of his load management, so if he does, expect OAKAAK Luke Kornet to start.

Prediction

What decides this game could very well be how much Wembanyama will play. The Knicks are at full bore with every healthy player, but the Spurs could very well be reliant on Wemby’s availability. In 27 minutes without him on Friday, the Thunder outscored them by 19, but they blitzed the reigning champions by 21 points in the 21 minutes with Wemby on the floor.

Still without McBride and Shamet, the Knicks will need Jordan Clarkson to be on his A-game. They’ll also need a Friday-like performance from Kolek, who wants to give both of his parents a new car. With Wemby and Kornet, the X-factor of this game for the Knicks could very well be Mitchell Robinson and his impact on the boards.

I’m not picking against New York. The NBA Cup is coming home. Knicks by 9. Brunson drops 35 and wins NBA Cup MVP.