The Emirates NBA Cup, an in-season basketball tournament, has become a key part of the NBA over the past two seasons. Interestingly, the previous two champions, the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, were both eliminated without scoring in the semifinals. This sets the stage for the first-ever NBA Cup champion to be crowned in this week’s final between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. Victor Wembaneyama made a return to the court after missing a month due to a calf injury and played a crucial role in helping the Spurs hand the Oklahoma City Thunder their second loss of the season. Not only did the Spurs end a significant winning streak, but their victory also secured their spot in the finals. On the other side, the Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic 132-120 in the semifinals, with MVP contender Jalen Brunson scoring 40 points.
The NBA Cup Final will take place on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Fans can catch all the live action exclusively on Prime Video, with the game starting at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT and pregame coverage beginning at 7:30 PM ET.
The championship game between the Knicks and Spurs is available only on Prime Video, which will also stream all NBA Cup playoff games, including replays of the finals and past playoff matches. While some group-stage games were televised, the final will be a Prime Video exclusive. New subscribers can also enjoy a 30-day free trial on Prime Video, which offers additional popular shows like Reacher, Wheel of Time, and Pop Culture Crisis.
Fan Take: This NBA Cup final is a milestone moment, as it will produce the tournament’s first-ever champion, adding a thrilling new chapter to NBA history. Basketball fans should watch closely, as this fresh competitive format could revolutionize how mid-season excitement is built and sustained in the sport.
