Knicks and Magic Set for High-Stakes NBA Cup Semifinal Clash in Vegas
Right now, all eyes are on Las Vegas as the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic get ready to face off in the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 semifinals, and this matchup feels bigger than just a spot in the final. It’s being seen as a measuring stick for two teams that believe they belong near the top of the Eastern Conference.
The setting alone adds some flavor. With the Knicks in town, there’s something oddly fitting about playing just steps away from the New York New York hotel on the Strip. But comfort and familiarity won’t win games, especially against a Magic team that has proven it can hang with anyone. These two teams know each other well already, meeting for the fourth time before mid-December, and there’s very little mystery left between them.
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Both squads had rocky starts to the season, but those early struggles now feel distant. The Knicks stumbled out of the gate at 2–3, all on the road, and that road inconsistency has lingered. Madison Square Garden has been a fortress, but Vegas counts as neutral ground, and that matters. Still, progress has clearly been made under first-year head coach Mike Brown. His offense was designed to flow more freely and avoid leaning too heavily on Jalen Brunson late in games, and while it’s still a work in progress, the ball has been moving better. Six Knicks are averaging double figures, with another right on the edge, and Mikal Bridges looks far more settled and confident this season.
Brunson, though, remains the engine. His 35-point performance in the quarterfinals was a reminder that his game hasn’t dipped at all during the adjustment. His presence alone is said to give the team confidence, and he’ll once again be the focal point, especially with Jalen Suggs likely tasked with slowing him down.
For Orlando, adversity has been nothing new. Franz Wagner remains sidelined, forcing Anthony Black into a larger role, and the Magic will again need to compensate for the loss of their leading scorer. The good news is that Desmond Bane has found his rhythm at the right time. Since early November, Orlando has surged, and Bane’s 37-point outburst in the quarterfinals showed exactly why the team invested so heavily in him.
Key battles will shape this game. Karl-Anthony Towns trying to pull Orlando’s bigs away from the basket, Paolo Banchero applying constant pressure on New York’s defense, and the duel between Brunson and Suggs could all tilt the balance. With the East wide open, this isn’t just about surviving Vegas. It’s about proving who’s ready for something bigger.
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