Jalen Brunson led the New York Knicks with an impressive 35 points, while Josh Hart contributed 21 as the team advanced to the NBA Cup semifinals for the first time after defeating the struggling Toronto Raptors 117-101 on Tuesday night. With this victory, the Knicks will face the Orlando Magic, who secured their semifinal spot by beating Miami earlier in the day.
Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns made a notable return, scoring 14 points and grabbing 16 rebounds after missing a previous game due to calf tightness. New York showcased a strong performance, with Mikal Bridges contributing 15 points and OG Anunoby adding 13 against his former team.
This marks a significant achievement for the Knicks, who have become the only team to reach the quarterfinals in all three years of the NBA Cup event, having previously lost their two attempts by a combined margin of 32 points. With a historical record of 11-4 in NBA Cup play, the Knicks are looking to make a strong impression as they continue their journey in the tournament.
Brunson’s performance was particularly stellar, as he scored 26 of his points in the opening half, his highest in any half this season. The Knicks established a commanding 69-52 lead at halftime, capitalizing on a poor shooting display from the Raptors, who struggled significantly in the second quarter. Toronto saw Brandon Ingram score 31 points and Jamal Shead achieve a career-high 18, but the team suffered their fourth consecutive loss, all at home.
The Raptors, who had an impressive run in the group stages with four victories, are now experiencing a challenging stretch, having gone 1-6 since that successful period. Notably, the team played without former Knicks Immanuel Quickley, who was sidelined due to illness, and RJ Barrett, who missed his ninth consecutive game due to a sprained knee.
With momentum on their side, the Knicks will now prepare for their semifinal matchup against the Magic, demonstrating resilience and determination in the ongoing NBA Cup tournament.