The New York Knicks (17-7) clash with the Orlando Magic (15-10) in a high-stakes Emirates NBA Cup semifinal, with the winner advancing to the championship game on December 17. This neutral-site battle revives a season series where Orlando holds a 2-1 edge, but New York’s red-hot form makes them the clear favorite. The action tips off at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights’ home but a neutral venue for this tournament showdown in the 17,500-seat arena. Game time is Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. PT), exclusively streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Expect a playoff-like atmosphere under the bright lights, as both teams vie for $500,000 per player in prize money—New York seeks its first Cup final appearance, while Orlando aims to extend its perfect 4-0 tournament record.
Team Records and Standings
New York Knicks: 17-7 (34 points), second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks boast a +142 goal differential (2,982 points for, 2,840 against), ranking fourth in scoring (119.3 PPG) and fifth in defense (113.6 PPG allowed). Their 38.2% three-point shooting (league-best) and 82.1% free-throw rate fuel a balanced attack, though they’re 16-8 ATS overall.
Orlando Magic: 15-10 (30 points), first in the Southeast Division but fifth in the East. Orlando’s +68 differential (2,958 PF, 2,890 PA) highlights elite defense (112.4 PPG allowed, second in NBA) but middling offense (118.3 PPG, 18th). They excel in rebounding (45.1 RPG, third) but lag on threes (34.8%, 22nd) and free throws (76.5%, 28th).
New York’s offensive firepower contrasts Orlando’s grit, but injuries could force a defensive slugfest in Vegas.
Recent Team Forms
The Knicks are scorching, winners of eight of their last 10 (8-2) with a +12.4 point differential, averaging 119.8 PPG while holding foes to 107.4. Their latest: a 117-101 rout of Toronto on December 10, where Jalen Brunson erupted for 35 points. Over the last five (4-1), they’ve won by double digits three times, including a 106-100 grind vs. Orlando on December 7. Defensive clamps (under 110 points allowed in four straight) and Brunson’s All-Star pace (28.5 PPG last 10) have them peaking.
Orlando enters 7-3 in its last 10 (+5.2 differential), blending wins with narrow escapes but stumbling without key wings. They edged Miami 117-108 on December 9 behind Desmond Bane’s 37 points, but a 106-100 loss at New York exposed scoring woes (100 PPG in defeat). Last five: 3-2, with losses to San Antonio (114-112) and New York sandwiching a 106-105 thriller vs. Miami. Rebounding dominance (47.0 RPG last 10) keeps them afloat, but 42.1% FG in losses signals offensive rust.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Points For/Against (Last 10) | Home/Road/Neutral Record |
| Knicks | W-W-L-W-W | 1,198/1,074 | 10-3-0 (Home) / 7-4-0 (Road) / 0-0-0 (Neutral) |
| Magic | W-L-W-L-W | 1,183/1,148 | 8-4-0 (Home) / 7-6-0 (Road) / 0-0-0 (Neutral) |
Injury Report
Injuries strike both rosters, thinning scoring and depth for this do-or-die tilt—expect heavy minutes for stars.
New York Knicks:
Pacôme Dadiet (F): Questionable (Left Ankle Sprain) – Day-to-day since December 9; limited to 4.2 PPG in 12 games.
Miles McBride (G): Out (Left Ankle Sprain) – Re-eval December 18; 7.1 PPG off bench, key defender.
Landry Shamet (G): Out (Right Shoulder Sprain) – Until December 24; missed 15 games, 6.3 PPG shooter.
Orlando Magic:
Franz Wagner (F): Out (Left High Ankle Sprain) – Until December 26; 22.4 PPG leader, missed last game with no timeline beyond 2-4 weeks.
Moritz Wagner (F/C): Out (Left Knee Injury Recovery) – Until December 18; 8.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG in 18 games.
Colin Castleton (C): Out (Left Thumb Fracture) – Until December 22; minimal impact (3.5 PPG in 10 games).
Coaches Tom Thibodeau (NYK) and Jamahl Mosley (ORL) must juggle rotations—New York’s bench depth tested, Orlando leaning on youth like Anthony Black.
Key Player Matchups
This semifinal hinges on star duels and defensive schemes, with Orlando’s absences amplifying New York’s edges.
Jalen Brunson (NYK, PG) vs. Jalen Suggs (ORL, PG): Brunson (27.8 PPG, 6.7 APG season; 30.5 PPG last 5) dismantled Orlando with 30 points on December 7. Suggs (12.4 PPG, elite defender at 1.8 SPG) must hound him full-court—Brunson’s 48% mid-range vs. Suggs’ physicality could dictate tempo.
Paolo Banchero (ORL, PF) vs. OG Anunoby/Mikal Bridges (NYK, Wings): Banchero (21.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG; 18 points in return vs. MIA) thrives driving (8.2 FTA/game), but Anunoby (16.5 PPG, 1.2 BPG) and Bridges (18.2 PPG, 1.1 SPG) form a switchable wall. Banchero’s 20.7 PPG career vs. Knicks demands 25+ for Orlando to compete.
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK, C) vs. Wendell Carter Jr. (ORL, C): Towns (22.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG; 14-16 double-double vs. TOR) exploits mismatches post-injury return. Carter (11.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG) anchors Orlando’s paint (team-best 52.1% eFG defense), but Towns’ stretch-five threat (38% 3PT) could pull him out.
Desmond Bane (ORL, SG) vs. Knicks Backcourt (Bridges/Hart): Bane (19.0 PPG, 4.5 APG; 37 vs. MIA) is Orlando’s X-factor sans Wagner. Bridges’ length (2.1 SPG) and Hart’s hustle (9.2 RPG) aim to disrupt his off-ball movement—Bane’s 42% 3PT vs. Knicks’ 34.8% opponent 3PT allowed.
Projected lineups (subject to change):
NYK: Brunson-Towns-Bridges-Anunoby-Hart | DiVincenzo-McConnell-Hartenstein-Randle-Daigneault
ORL: Suggs-Bane-Banchero-Black-Carter | Anthony-Trent Jr.-Isaac-Igawao-Owusu
Series History
The Knicks and Magic’s rivalry dates to Orlando’s 1989 inception, with 137 regular-season meetings yielding a slim 70-67 Magic edge (50.7%). New York leads playoffs 4-3 (including a 1999 ECF sweep), but Orlando’s home dominance (37-32) persists. This season: Magic 2-1, outscoring Knicks 390-334 (+19 differential). Wins: 124-107 (Nov. 12, MSG), 133-121 (Nov. 22, Kia Center); Knicks’ 106-100 revenge (Dec. 7). Games average 225.3 points, with Orlando 3-0 ATS vs. New York.
| Head-to-Head (Last 10) | NYK Record | ORL Record | Avg. Points (NYK/ORL) |
| Regular Season | 4-6 | 6-4 | 110.5 / 114.8 |
Betting Trends
Knicks: 16-8 ATS overall, 8-1 last 9; 12-2 ATS as 4.5+ favorites; Under in 7 of last 9 (avg. 214.4 total).
Magic: 12-13 ATS, 3-3 as underdogs; 6-4 Over last 10, but 2-8 ATS without Wagner.
H2H: Under cashed 2 of 3 this season; public 59% on Knicks ML, sharps fading Over (injuries cap scoring).
Game Odds
New York Knicks – 5.5
Orlando Magic 224.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 12, 2025
