LAS VEGAS — There were so many moments the Knicks looked on the verge of letting the game get away from them. Then they closed like elite teams should. 

This was mettle. This was a statement. This was proof they have chops as title contenders. 

After trailing by five, the Knicks began the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run, spurred by back-to-back 3s from Jordan Clarkson, to take a three-point lead. Mitchell Robinson grabbed four offensive rebounds in that stretch, keeping possession after possession alive. It marked the Knicks’ first lead since late in the first quarter. 

And they led the rest of the way, beating the Spurs 124-113 to win the NBA Cup on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. 

The Knicks celebrate their NBA Cup on Dec. 16, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg for The New York Post

It was the unlikely lineup of Jalen Brunson, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson that flipped the game on its head for the Knicks. 

“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robinson, they played their ass off tonight,” said Brunson, named the NBA Cup MVP. “Without them, we don’t win this s–t.” 

The Spurs’ depth and supporting cast around Victor Wembanyana had built them a lead through three quarters. Then, there were Robinson, Clarkson and Kolek off the bench to win the Knicks a trophy. 

The Knicks put up a big fourth quarter to win the title. Charles Wenzelberg for The New York Post

Robinson finished with 15 rebounds — 10 offensive — and was plus-9. Clarkson finished with 15 points and was plus-15. Kolek finished with 14 points, five assists and five rebounds and was plus-14. And coach Mike Brown rolled with Kolek rather than Mikal Bridges, who largely had been ineffective, down the stretch of the game. 

“All those guys brought something to the table,” Brown said. “And it was an easy decision for me going down the stretch that ‘Hey, these are the guys that had given us a lift, so we’re gonna stay with them.’ That’s what it’s about.” 

Brown got into the casino spirit and rolled the dice with that lineup. It was a Vegas gamble that worked out for him, putting another ball-handler in the game to take some pressure off Brunson.

Jalen Brunson puts up a shot for the Knicks. Charles Wenzelberg for The New York Post

The Spurs backcourt of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell — which hounded the Thunder’s backcourt of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams in the semis — had been aggressively pressuring the ball all night. It was bothering the Knicks for three quarters. Brown’s decision changed the course of the game. 

After giving up 94 points through three quarters, the Knicks allowed just 19 points — and outscored the Spurs by 16 — in the fourth quarter. 

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“We’re gonna find a way,” Brunson said. “We’re gonna fight. We’re not gonna quit. We’re gonna go out there and do what we gotta do. When we fail in those moments, we tip our hats and we respect the other team and we move forward. 

“But we’re not gonna quit, we’re not gonna lay down. We’re gonna find a way. The game may be ugly. How are we gonna impact the game? Our bench did that tonight, they impacted the game for us.” 

Wembanyama might soon take over as the Face of the NBA. But on this night, the alien largely looked earthly. It was Brunson and OG Anunoby who were the best players on the court. 

Brunson finished with 25, while Anunoby added a game-high 28. Anunoby kept the Knicks within touching distance for large stretches of the game. 

Tyler Kolek of the New York Knicks celebrates with Jordan Clarkson of the New York Knicks after Clarkson hits a 3-point shot during the fourth quarter. Charles Wenzelberg for The New York Post

Wembanyama, who came off the bench with the Spurs being careful with his minutes, finished with 18 points. The Knicks actually were at their best during the Wembanyama minutes — they outscored the Spurs by 18 points when he was on the floor. It was the worst mark of any Spurs player. Robinson spent plenty of time matched up with him. 

“Mitch’s ability to challenge Wemby’s shots and then put pressure on Wemby and [Luke] Kornet on the other end of the floor, offensive rebounding, that changed the game,” Brown said. 

The Knicks left Vegas richer than when they arrived. And with some new hardware for their trophy case. 

A perfect trip. Get ready for banner night at Madison Square Garden. 

“Don’t it look good,” a smiling Karl-Anthony Towns said as he walked into the postgame press conference, “when it says Knicks champions on the shirt.” 

It certainly does.