The NBA Cup has been whittled down to its final two contenders: the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, who will face off in the championship game Tuesday night in Las Vegas. The Knicks secured their spot by beating the Orlando Magic in the semifinals, while the Spurs ended the Oklahoma City Thunder’s impressive 16-game winning streak.
Victor Wembaneyama made a strong comeback after sidelined for nearly a month due to a calf sprain, contributing 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists off the bench in the Spurs’ win. Although he played only 20 minutes as part of a cautious return, Wembaneyama was highly effective, hitting 54% of his shots.
The Spurs will now take on the Knicks, who carry a 9-1 record over their last ten games, in the championship showdown in Las Vegas. Both squads are vying for the 2025 NBA Cup title and a substantial prize.
Each player on the winning team will receive $530,933, a slight increase from the $500,000 prize awarded in the inaugural 2023 tournament. While this sum may seem modest for top earners like Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Towns—earning over $34 million and $54 million this season, respectively—it is a significant boost for players lower on the pay scale.
For example, second-year player Ariel Hukporti, drafted in the second round in 2024, stands to gain about one-third of his annual salary if the Knicks win. Two-way players will receive half of the standard prize money, meaning Kyle Mangas, David Jones-Garcia, Harrison Ingram, Kevin McCullar Jr., Trey Jemison, and Tothan Ebbuomwan each could earn around $265,466, which is a notable portion of their typical two-way contract.
Even the runners-up receive a tidy sum of $212,373 per player, which offers a healthy financial incentive for all involved. This extra income motivates players, especially those with smaller contracts, as seen in the case of Desmond Bane from the Magic, who appreciated the bonus following a recent $35,000 fine.
Bane remarked, “That’s huge. I just lost $35,000 and I have to make it back somehow. But I’m excited. It’s a great opportunity to play some meaningful basketball early in the season.”
Beyond the financial rewards, the league’s efforts to inject excitement into the early NBA calendar appear to be working. The Spurs-Thunder semifinal felt like a playoff game, and the upcoming Knicks-Spurs final promises another intense battle. The game tips off at 8:30 pm ET on Prime.
Fan Take: This NBA Cup final not only offers thrilling early-season action but also shines a spotlight on rising stars like Wembaneyama and the depth of talent across teams. The competition’s growing prize pool underscores the league’s commitment to rewarding players across all ranks, which could reshape how early-season basketball is perceived and played.
