The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic are underway on Prime with a trip to the Emirates NBA Cup Championship on the line.
Enjoy the best of the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.
What we know about Saturday night’s games:
A trip to the NBA Cup Championship is on the line! We’ve got Knicks-Magic (5:30 ET) and Spurs-Thunder (9 ET) on Prime.
The Thunder are seeking to keep pace with the 2015-16 Warriors for the best record through 26 games in NBA history at 25-1.
Victor Wembanyama is expected to be back for San Antonio, while Franz Wagner remains out for Orlando.
5:52 PM / DECEMBER 13, 2025
An even start on Prime
10-9 Knicks with 8:36 to go in the first. Josh Hart demurred when asked if these teams are becoming rivals during the pregame show. The intensity’s been evident so far, though.
WHAT A PASS BY KAT 😮
He finds the cutting Mikal Bridges for the finger roll!
Watch here: https://t.co/pHyeRvnT7m pic.twitter.com/LMnukGyyFZ
— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2025
5:30 PM / DECEMBER 13, 2025
Dylan Harper keeps attacking
Dylan Harper’s best drives this season.
The Spurs’ young guard could be a significant x-factor tonight as they take on the Thunder.
He’s third among rookies in points off drives per game at 6.3 while posting a higher assist percentage and fewer turnovers on the action than anyone in the Top 5, surpassing Cooper Flagg, Jeremiah Fears, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe.
Check out his slashing skills in the video above. Harper is smooth and polished in the lane, comfortable finishing with either hand, with a veteran’s sense of pace and angle.
He’s No. 7 in the latest Kia Rookie Ladder, but could be on the rise.
5:15 PM / DECEMBER 13, 2025
Welcome to the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinals!
It’s win-or-go-home basketball on Prime as we determine who will play for the Emirates NBA Cup!
NBA.com’s Shaun Powell has in-depth previews of Knicks-Magic (5:30 ET) and Thunder-Spurs (9 ET) for your consideration, as we gear up for a special night of hoops.
The Knicks and Magic have faced off three times already this season, with the Magic taking two and the Knicks taking the latest 106-100 just under a week ago on Dec. 7.
“It’s a little tough just because I don’t think (either) team has been completely healthy when we played each other,” Coach Mike Brown said this week. “I don’t necessarily feel like it’s on the rivalry level yet. But it can be in due time.”
Victor Wembanyama (26.2 ppg, 12.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.6 blk on 50.2 FG%) is expected to be back tonight for San Antonio, who are looking to halt the Thunder’s 16-game winning streak, which has run them out to an NBA record-tying 24-1 record.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.6 ppg, 4.6 reb, 6.5 ast, 1.5 stl, 56.2 FG%) has scored 20+ points in 96 consecutive games — second only to Wilt Chamberlain (126 games) all-time. He stands at No. 2 in the latest Kia MVP Ladder.
The Thunder won the title last year, but fell in the Emirates NBA Cup 2024 Championship to the Milwaukee Bucks. Can they take the crown this time around?
“We go out there with a hunter’s mentality,” said Gilgeous-Alexander on OKC’s Cup chase mindset this year. “Trying to be a better version of ourselves every time.”
Get hyped. Feel the spirit. Listen to the ball bounce off the hardwood.
There are few nights like tonight in the NBA season.