The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup reaches its climax on Tuesday night, pitting two of the league’s hottest teams against each other in a battle for the inaugural championship trophy and its $2 million player prize pool. The San Antonio Spurs, fresh off Victor Wembanyama’s triumphant return in the semifinals, face the streaking New York Knicks in a neutral-site showdown that promises fireworks. Both squads enter with identical records and elite defensive pedigrees, but the Knicks’ veteran poise could clash with San Antonio’s youthful explosiveness led by the French phenom. This is more than a tournament finale—it’s a statement game for two contenders eyeing deep playoff runs.
Venue
Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV (neutral site for the NBA Cup Championship)
Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: Prime Video (exclusive national stream); NBA League Pass for replays starting at 6:00 a.m. ET the following day
The glitzy T-Mobile Arena, home to the Vegas Golden Knights, will host its first NBA Cup final, adding a layer of spectacle to what could be a high-stakes, high-scoring affair on the Strip.
Team Records
Both teams sit at 18-7 (.720 winning percentage), making this a true clash of Eastern and Western Conference heavyweights. The Spurs hold the No. 5 seed in the West (tied with the Lakers), while the Knicks are locked into No. 2 in the East, just two games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | Division Record | Home/Road/Neutral | Last 10 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 18-7 | 12-5 | 4-1 | 10-3 / 7-4 / 1-0 | 7-3 |
| New York Knicks | 18-7 | 14-7 | 5-1 | 13-1 / 4-6 / 1-0 | 9-1 |
The Knicks boast the league’s best home record (13-1), but the neutral floor levels the playing field—both teams are undefeated (1-0) in NBA Cup neutral-site games this tournament.
Recent Team Forms
The Spurs have been a revelation since Wembanyama’s mid-November calf strain sidelined him, going 10-3 without him before his 22-point, 10-rebound return in Saturday’s 111-109 semifinal upset over the Oklahoma City Thunder. San Antonio’s last 10 games show a balanced attack: 7 wins, averaging 119.7 points per game (PPG) on 48.3% shooting, with a stifling defense allowing just 115.2 PPG. Their most recent stretch (last 5): WWWWW, including blowouts over the Lakers (132-119) and Pelicans (135-132), highlighting their transition speed and rim protection.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are scorching hot with a five-game win streak and 9-1 mark over their last 10, capped by a 117-101 semifinal rout of the Orlando Magic. New York leads the NBA in scoring at 121.0 PPG while ranking fifth in defensive rating (112.2 points allowed per 100 possessions). Their form screams contender: 5-0 ATS in the last five, with Jalen Brunson dissecting defenses and the frontcourt duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby clamping up opponents. The lone blemish in their last 10? A narrow loss to the Bucks on November 28.
In head-to-head simulations, models project a tight contest (Knicks by 1-2 points), but San Antonio’s rest advantage (three days off vs. New York’s two) could keep it within one possession.
Injury Report
Both teams head into Las Vegas relatively healthy, with the Spurs getting a massive boost from Wembanyama’s full clearance. New York’s backcourt depth takes a minor hit, but their core is intact.
Updates as of December 15, 3:30 p.m. ET (NBA official report).
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason/Estimated Return | Impact Notes |
| Spurs | Victor Wembanyama | PF/C | Available | Calf strain (returned Dec. 13) | Game-changer; 22 PTS, 10 REB in semi return |
| Spurs | De’Aaron Fox | PG | Available | No issues | Cleared; averaged 23.9 PPG recently |
| Spurs | Kyle Mangas | G | Day-to-Day | Undisclosed (minor) | Minimal; bench role |
| Knicks | Miles McBride | PG | Out | Left ankle sprain (Dec. 18) | Key reserve; 8.5 PPG off bench |
| Knicks | Landry Shamet | SG | Out | Shoulder (Dec. 24) | Depth piece; out since Nov. 25 |
| Knicks | Karl-Anthony Towns | C | Available | Calf (cleared Dec. 10) | Full go; 18 REB in last outing |
No other major concerns—Spurs coach Mitch Johnson confirmed Wembanyama will play “heavy minutes” but monitored for load management. Knicks’ Jalen Brunson (questionable earlier in week with hamstring tweak) is fully cleared.
Key Player Matchups
This final boils down to star power: Wembanyama’s unicorn versatility vs. the Knicks’ switchable defense, and a backcourt duel between speed demons. Here’s the breakdown of pivotal battles:
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs, 24.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 3.8 BPG) vs. Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks, 22.1 PPG, 10.5 RPG): The bigs’ showdown could define the paint. Wemby’s length (7’4″ wingspan) disrupts Towns’ mid-range game, but KAT’s face-up scoring (45% from three) pulls him away from the rim. Edge: Spurs if Wemby stays out of foul trouble (averaged 3.2 PF recently).
De’Aaron Fox (Spurs, 23.9 PPG, 6.2 APG) vs. Jalen Brunson (Knicks, 28.8 PPG, 6.4 APG): A point-guard clinic—Fox’s blazing speed (league-leading 4.2 transition PPG) tests Brunson’s crafty handle and off-ball movement. Brunson owns the season series edge (37 PPG vs. Spurs last year), but Fox’s 14-of-17 overs on 19.5 points prop screams value. Edge: Knicks’ experience in clutch spots.
Devin Vassell (Spurs, 19.2 PPG, 40% 3PT) vs. Mikal Bridges (Knicks, 18.5 PPG, elite defender): Vassell’s pull-up threes (3.2 made per game) exploit Bridges’ on-ball pressure, but Mikal’s 1.8 steals per game could force turnovers. Edge: Spurs’ scoring volume.
Stephon Castle (Spurs rookie, 15.8 PPG) vs. Josh Hart (Knicks, 12.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG): Castle’s two-way rookie flashes (6.0 APG) meet Hart’s gritty rebounding and switches. Hart’s energy off the bench could wear down the Spurs’ youth. Edge: Knicks’ hustle.
Keldon Johnson (Spurs, 16.5 PPG) vs. OG Anunoby (Knicks, 15.2 PPG, lockdown D): Johnson’s athleticism in the mid-range vs. Anunoby’s versatility (1.5 blocks per game). Anunoby held opponents under 40% shooting in the semis. Edge: Knicks.
Bench depth favors New York (Donte DiVincenzo’s 14.0 PPG off the pine), but San Antonio’s youth keeps legs fresh late.
Series History
The Spurs hold a slim all-time edge in regular-season meetings (59-46), but the Knicks have won three of the last five dating back to 2022. San Antonio dominated their most recent clash on March 19, 2025 (120-105 at home), with Wembanyama dropping 31 points and 14 rebounds. In NBA Cup play, this is their first tournament matchup, but New York’s 4-1 record in neutral-site games this year (including semis) gives them a psychological nod. Playoff history? The Spurs swept the Knicks in the 1999 Finals en route to their first title—could history repeat in Vegas?
Recent H2H Trends:
Spurs 4-6 in last 10 vs. Knicks, averaging 112.7 PPG.
Under has hit in 6 of last 10 (avg. total: 225.5 points).
Knicks 3-2 ATS as favorites in series.
Game Odds
San Antonio Spurs 228.5
New York Knicks – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 15, 2025
