Mandy
The New York Knicks secured their first-ever trip to the NBA Cup semifinals, defeating the struggling Toronto Raptors 117–101 on Tuesday night.
Jalen Brunson led the way with an impressive 35 points, while Josh Hart added 21 in a game where New York controlled the pace from start to finish.
Brunson delivered 26 points in the first half, marking his highest-scoring half of the season and setting the tone for the Knicks’ confident win.
Strong Supporting Efforts Help Lift New York
Towns Returns And Impacts Immediately
Karl-Anthony Towns returned to the lineup after missing the previous game due to left calf tightness and contributed 14 points and 16 rebounds.
His presence in the paint gave the Knicks a strong interior advantage.
Bridges And Anunoby Contribute Consistently
Mikal Bridges scored 15 points, while OG Anunoby added 13 against his former team, giving New York additional offensive balance.
With this victory, the Knicks improved to 11-4 all-time in NBA Cup play.
They had reached the event’s quarterfinals in all previous years but had exited early twice, losing those matchups by a combined 32 points.
Raptors’ Early Momentum Fades Quickly
Ingram Leads Toronto, But Struggles Continue
Despite Brandon Ingram posting 31 points and Jamal Shead scoring a career-high 18, the Raptors dropped their fourth straight game, all at home.
Toronto entered the knockout stage undefeated in group play after a hot 13–1 stretch but has since fallen to 1–6.
Second Quarter Collapse Hurts Raptors
Ingram opened with 17 first-quarter points, but Toronto’s offense collapsed in the second period. The team made just 5 of 21 shots, missing 13 of their first 15 attempts.
The Knicks outscored them 34–13 in that disastrous quarter, building a 69–52 halftime lead that Toronto never recovered from.
Short-Handed Lineup Adds To Raptors’ Trouble
The Raptors were missing two former Knicks:
- Immanuel Quickley (illness)
- RJ Barrett (right knee sprain), who missed his ninth straight game
Upcoming Matchups
- Knicks: Will face Orlando in the NBA Cup semifinal in Las Vegas on Saturday.
- Raptors: Travel to Miami for their next matchup on Monday.
The New York Knicks continued their strong run in NBA Cup competition with a confident victory over Toronto, powered by Jalen Brunson’s explosive scoring and solid team play on both ends of the court.
While the Raptors showed flashes early, their second-quarter struggles and ongoing injury issues prevented them from mounting a real challenge.
With momentum on their side, the Knicks now look ahead to a high-stakes semifinal meeting with the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas.
FAQs
How many points did Jalen Brunson score in the win?
Brunson scored 35 points, including 26 in the first half.
Why did the Raptors struggle in the second quarter?
Toronto shot poorly, hitting only 5 of 21 attempts, which allowed New York to build a large halftime lead.
Who will the Knicks play next in the NBA Cup?
The Knicks will face the Orlando Magic in the semifinals in Las Vegas.