The Final Is Set: San Antonio vs New York
Las Vegas gets its NBA Cup championship matchup: San Antonio Spurs versus New York Knicks, Tuesday, December 16 at 8:30 PM ET on Prime Video at T-Mobile Arena. One team riding the emotional high of Victor Wembanyama's dramatic return. The other powered by Jalen Brunson's scoring brilliance and veteran poise.
This isn't a feel-good exhibition. There's $530,933 per player on the line for the champions, $212,373 for the runners-up. That's real money creating real motivation beyond trophies and championship rings.
Spurs Shock Thunder, End 16-Game Win Streak
San Antonio pulled off the upset of the NBA Cup semifinals, beating Oklahoma City 111-109 and snapping the Thunder's ridiculous 16-game winning streak. This was the trap game that became the signature win—the kind of result that validates a season and announces a team's arrival.
Victor Wembanyama made his return after 12 games out with a left calf strain, and while his minutes were limited, his impact wasn't. Twenty-two points, nine rebounds, and a fourth quarter where he completely shifted the arena's energy. This wasn't a player easing back into action—this was Wemby reminding everyone why he's generational.
The Spurs had won without him, proving their depth and system. But getting him back for the biggest games? That changes everything. Oklahoma City entered as the prohibitive favorites—historic win streak, dominant on both ends, looking unstoppable. San Antonio said no, executed when it mattered, and punched their ticket to the final.
Knicks Dominate Orlando Behind Brunson's 40
New York did exactly what New York does: played with pace, won the individual matchups, and let their best player dictate the game. The Knicks demolished Orlando 132-120 behind Jalen Brunson's season-high 40 points and eight assists.
Brunson loves these moments. Big stage, bright lights, championship stakes—he elevates. Forty points isn't lucky or hot shooting; it's a elite point guard taking control of a semifinal and imposing his will on every possession. Karl-Anthony Towns provided massive support, and New York's offense eventually broke Orlando's defensive resistance at exactly the right time.
The Magic couldn't match New York's firepower or execution down the stretch. Brunson carved them apart in halfcourt sets, found open teammates when Orlando collapsed on him, and made every clutch shot required to close the game. That's what separates good teams from championship contenders—having a player who thrives under pressure.
The Prize Money That Makes This Real
NBA Cup prize money for 2025 creates serious financial incentive beyond glory. Champions earn $530,933 per player. Runners-up get $212,373 each. Those aren't token amounts—that's life-changing money for role players and meaningful bonuses even for max contract stars.
Money doesn't play defense or make shots, but it does ensure everyone's locked in with identical motivation. Veterans chase another ring. Young players want the validation. Role players see six figures for winning four tournament games. That alignment of incentives produces maximum effort and genuine competitiveness.
The Quirky NBA Cup Rules
Here's the detail that makes the NBA Cup unique: every game counts toward regular season standings except the championship final. San Antonio and New York's Tuesday matchup determines the Cup winner, distributes the prize money, and awards championship rings—but it won't add a win or loss to either team's record.
That's the NBA's compromise between tournament stakes and regular season integrity. They wanted meaningful games with real consequences without disrupting the 82-game schedule or playoff seeding. So the final exists in a weird limbo—it matters enormously for hardware and money, but technically doesn't affect standings.
Wembanyama's Impact Beyond the Box Score
Wemby's 22 points and nine rebounds tell part of the story. The complete picture is how he warped Oklahoma City's entire offensive approach in the fourth quarter. The Thunder couldn't attack the rim freely, couldn't run their usual actions, couldn't execute with the same confidence knowing Wembanyama was lurking as rim protector and weakside help.
Twelve games is a long absence for any player, especially a 20-year-old in his second NBA season. The Spurs managed well without him, but his return for the semifinals injected energy, optimism, and a defensive anchor they simply cannot replicate with anyone else on the roster.
If Wembanyama is healthy and his minutes aren't restricted Tuesday, New York faces a completely different challenge than they saw against Orlando. The Knicks' interior attack—Towns, Randle, drives to the basket—runs directly into a 7-foot-4 defender with elite timing and ridiculous wingspan. That's a problem.
Brunson vs the Spurs' Defense
Jalen Brunson just dropped 40 in a semifinal. He's playing the best basketball of his career at exactly the right time. But San Antonio's defense, especially with Wembanyama protecting the rim, presents challenges Orlando couldn't match.
The Spurs will force Brunson into contested jumpers, make him work for every driving lane, and dare New York's supporting cast to beat them. That's been San Antonio's defensive identity all season—elite rim protection, disciplined rotations, and forcing opponents into difficult shots.
Brunson thrives in those situations. He's made a career out of hitting tough shots under pressure. But doing it for 40 minutes against San Antonio's length and discipline? That's a different test than carving up Orlando's defense.
What's Actually at Stake Tuesday
Beyond the $530,933 per player and the trophy, this final represents validation for both franchises. San Antonio proves their young core—led by a healthy Wembanyama—can compete with anyone when executing at their best. New York confirms they're legitimate championship contenders, not just regular season overachievers.
The Spurs are building something special around Wembanyama. Winning the NBA Cup wouldn't define their season, but it would announce their arrival as a team to watch moving forward. For the Knicks, this is about proving they belong in conversations with the league's elite—that Brunson's leadership and their veteran roster can deliver when stakes are highest.
Tuesday Night in Vegas
Prime Video has exclusive streaming rights to the NBA Cup final. Tip-off is 8:30 PM ET from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. San Antonio's length and defensive discipline versus New York's offensive firepower and veteran execution. Wembanyama's rim protection against Brunson's shot-making brilliance.
Spurs shocked the Thunder to get here. Knicks dominated Orlando. Now they meet for the NBA Cup championship, $530,933 per player, and the right to call themselves tournament champions. Tuesday night determines who takes home the hardware.