Knicks Shine in NBA Cup Quarterfinals

TORONTO — The Knicks are riding a wave of good fortune right into Sin City.

Thanks to an impressive performance by Jalen Brunson, the Knicks triumphed over the Raptors, clinching a 117-101 victory in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday night. This win secures their spot in the semifinals against the Orlando Magic on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Brunson, known for thriving in high-pressure situations—just look at his two NCAA championships with Villanova—led the pack with 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting, weaving through Toronto’s defense with some smooth jumpers.

He knocked down 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, helping the Knicks (17-7) maintain a strong lead, never allowing the margin to dip close to single digits in the second half despite the Raptors’ efforts to claw back.

Also contributing was Josh Hart, a familiar face from his college days at Villanova, who added 21 points with an impressive 8-of-11 shooting performance.

Karl-Anthony Towns returned to the lineup after missing one game due to a calf strain, adding 14 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.

After facing elimination in the NBA Cup quarterfinals over the past two years—where a certain dice roll from Trae Young’s last season became infamous—the Knicks have finally made it to the Final Four in Vegas.

But the night did not start well for New York.

The first quarter was a struggle, highlighted by seven turnovers and only scoring 12 points. Even with Brunson’s 20 points in the first nine minutes, the Knicks found themselves trailing 39-35 at the end of the first.

However, they upped their defensive game in the second quarter, dominating and heading into halftime with a solid 17-point lead.

The Raptors (15-11) looked vulnerable, clearly struggling as they had lost five out of their last six games, including a heavy defeat at Madison Square Garden the week prior. Adding to their woes, they were missing former Knicks player RJ Barrett due to a knee issue and Immanuel Quickley, who was sidelined by illness.

As for the Knicks, they’re missing Miles McBride due to what has been reported as an ankle sprain. Still, they’ve made it clear they want to win the NBA Cup, despite the challenges posed by scheduling.

By winning, they’re gearing up for a week-long trip across the country to Las Vegas—potentially heading all the way to Indianapolis afterward.

If they had lost, it would have meant just one home game and a week back home, which wouldn’t really be the same.

So instead of a brief winter break, they’ll be out on the road. To top it off, the Knicks will also receive a financial boost, with semifinalists earning over $100,000 each. An additional win could push their earnings beyond $500,000 each, compared to the quarterfinalist payout of more than $50,000.