After 52 years without winning a trophy in the most important basketball league in the world, The New York Knicks were named NBA Cup championsin its third edition. He achieved this after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 124-113 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Jalen Brunsonvoted Most Valuable Player (MVP), scored 25 points and the Brit OG Anunoby He added 28 points for the New York Knicks, ending their losing streak that had followed them since 1973.
Both players were supported by center Mitchell Robinson, who came off the bench and dominated the battle between the boards, grabbing fifteen rebounds, ten of them on offense.
In addition, Dominican Karl-Anthony Towns contributed a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds to the fifth-place finish in the Big Apple.
The Knicks joined in The Los Angeles Lakers in 2023 and the Milwaukee Bucks last yearas the only champions in the history of a tournament that still does not have a repeat finalist.
The New York quintet made the difference in the fourth third. With a great defensive performance in the decisive quarter, he limited the Spurs to 19 points.
The Spurs were ahead in the second and third quarters, but were unable to significantly increase their lead and fell short in the final quarter, which they lost 35-19.
His young character, the Frenchman Victor WembanyamaWas only able to score 18 points for San Antonio in 25 minutes on the court in the finale, with six rebounds and one assist.
After a month out due to a calf injury, Wemby returned on Saturday with a brilliant performance in the semi-final against the Oklahoma City Thunder, currently the best team in the league.
The 21-year-old French prodigy was a little less brilliant on Tuesday, although he did show his talent in the third quarter.
“All of our players took the tournament seriously,” said New York coach Mike Brown after winning the NBA Cup. “Any time you have the opportunity to hang a championship pennant at Madison Square Garden, you fight for it,” he added.
For his part, Brunson explained: “We were ten points behind and looking for a way to win. My teammates have full confidence in me and without them I couldn’t be in this position.”
With information from agencies.
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