For the first time in franchise history, the New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Cup semifinals, and they have Jalen Brunson to thank for it. But here's where it gets controversial: can they keep this momentum going against a surging Orlando Magic team? In a thrilling matchup on Tuesday night, Brunson dropped a staggering 35 points, while Josh Hart chipped in 21, propelling the Knicks to a decisive 117-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors. This win marks a significant milestone for New York, who had previously fallen short in their two prior quarterfinal appearances, losing by a combined 32 points.
Karl-Anthony Towns, returning from a brief absence due to a left calf injury, dominated the boards with 16 rebounds and added 14 points, showcasing the depth of the Knicks' roster. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, the latter facing his former team, contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively. The Knicks, now 11-4 all-time in NBA Cup play, have been the only team to reach the quarterfinals in all three years of the tournament, proving their consistency in this format.
And this is the part most people miss: Brunson's 26-point first half was his most prolific half of the season, a performance that set the tone for the entire game. Meanwhile, the Raptors, despite Brandon Ingram's 31 points and Jamal Shead's career-high 18, couldn't keep up. Toronto's struggles were evident in the second quarter, where they managed only 13 points on 5-of-21 shooting—a stark contrast to their earlier 13-1 stretch during group stage play.
The Raptors, once undefeated in the group stage, have now lost four straight games, all at home. Scottie Barnes and Ja'Kobe Walter each scored 13 points, while Jakob Poeltl added 10, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Knicks' momentum. Toronto’s former Knicks players, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett, were notably absent due to illness and injury, respectively.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will face the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas on Saturday, while the Raptors travel to Miami on Monday. But here’s the burning question: Can the Knicks sustain this level of play, or will the Magic’s recent success prove too much to handle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is this finally New York’s year to shine in the NBA Cup?
