The New York Knicks are the 2025 NBA Cup champions, and their men’s basketball victory on Tuesday night (16 December) looked every bit backed by the belief that head coach Mike Brown has been preaching all season.

A 124 to 113 comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas sealed the 2025 NBA Cup and ended a 52-year trophy drought in New York.

Trailing by double figures late in the third quarter, New York wrestled control back through the collective execution of NBA Cup MVP Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby, who together accounted for 53 points.

Brown, who coached Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021, framed the night as collective effort in the post-game press conference, calling it a “great team win” adding that “obviously the MVP is Jalen and I hope now on this stage when you start talking about MVP candidates, his name is one of the first to come out your mouth.”

Brown explained that the turning point came from trusting the players who changed the tone on the floor. “They brought a level of physicality,” he said, pointing to Tyler Kolek, Mitchell Robinson and Jordan Clarkson. “Even something small like that, bringing the physicality to the game, putting your body out there and getting ran over, helped change the game.”

Brown also highlighted the impact of Ariel Hukporti in a brief but meaningful stretch, noting that “all those guys brought something to the table. I’m proud of everybody in that locker room.”

That impact, Brown said, comes from the identity the Knicks are building. “Our standards are about sacrificing, connectivity, competitive spirit, a belief in the process and a belief in each other, which is huge. No matter who’s out there, belief in each other while holding everybody accountable. That’s what we did throughout the course of this ball game.”

Brown was equally struck by Brunson’s modesty upon receiving the MVP trophy, calling the MVP an “unbelievable competitor” and “unbelievable teammate”.

“They know this is a team sport at the end of the day. And that’s why he’s not just the MVP when it comes to hooping, but he’s the MVP in a lot of different ways,” he added.

Beyond the trophy itself, Brown sees the NBA Cup as a formative experience for a franchise aiming higher. “When you’re able to have success doing it, it breeds confidence in everybody within the organisation,” he said, calling the opportunity to hang a banner at Madison Square Garden “the most positive” outcome of all.