The New York Knicks outlasted the other teams to win the NBA Cup. They are the third team to win the In-Season Tournament, which the league introduced in 2023. In the final round, the team outlasted the San Antonio Spurs with a 124-113 victory. All-Star guard Jalen Brunson took home the MVP honors.
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, the first two NBA Cup winners, decided to display a banner to commemorate their triumph. Much to everyone’s surprise, however, New York opted not to hang one. Former team executive Isiah Thomas weighed in on whether the franchise should hang a banner or not.
“It should be acknowledged with your fans and this is the start of something new in the NBA, it’s a tradition,” Thomas said. “The two teams prior, have put up a banner. The third team, being the Knicks, they should also put up a banner.
“The Knicks should put up a banner”
– Former Knicks president Isiah Thomas on the NBA Cup
Thomas’ long relationship with Knicks owner James Dolan includes a current seat on the board of directors of Sphere pic.twitter.com/dyNNLbLIyQ
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 23, 2025
“You’re talking about starting a tradition, you’re talking about starting that the NBA has put forth and the other two teams prior have acknowledged it in their building, and the Knicks should acknowledge it in their building also.”
According to reports, it was an organizational decision not to hang a banner for New York. The team celebrated with the fans on Friday, Dec. 19, against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Knicks gave their winnings to non-playing staff
Winning the NBA Cup was perfect for the Knicks. Each player gets to have a $500,000 cash prize. The stars and core players used their money to be generous to the non-playing staff. Josh Hart said that giving their prize money to the staff was a no-brainer.
“I don’t think it was a hard decision,” Hart said. “Some of those people don’t get a bonus, and they’re working to make sure we’re at the top of the game, no matter who they are. We want to make sure those people are also compensated for their extra time and their efforts.”
Hart said that it was something that had been discussed among players before winning the NBA Cup. It’s the perfect time for the team’s staff since the holidays are just around the corner. It’s the season of giving, and the players took time to spread some holiday cheer.
