That’s why Jalen Brunson (No. 4) and Victor Wembanyama (6) are high risers this week on the Kia MVP Ladder, which reflects their role in helping the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs reach the Emirates NBA Cup championship game.

While the NBA Cup will never hold as much sway over teams and fans as the Larry O'Brien Trophy, the purpose of this in-season tournament was to create a secondary event that could energize the early portion of the season enough to at least give teams out of the running in May and June something else to compete for.

How Thunder forward Chet Holmgren discussed a silver lining for his team after losing the NBA Cup semifinals, and beating the Clippers.

Adam Silver said the NBA was considering "whether it makes sense to maybe go to some unique locations for the final game."

Looking back at the Emirates NBA Cup winner, the game MVP and All-NBA Cup teams from each season. New York's depth delivers big, Karl-Anthony Towns returns for the moment and the Knicks hope to flip the Cup script.

The 2026 NBA Cup's fourth installment of the in-season tournament created by league commissioner Adam Silver could be the biggest one yet. A big change is likely coming to the competition as the NBA Cup's time in Las Vegas could be coming to an end.

League commissioner Adam Silver says the league might ponder moving its mid-season tourney finale to a college campus, rather than stay in Las Vegas.

The 2025 Emirates NBA Cup concluded on Tuesday with the New York Knicks overcoming an 11-point deficit to defeat the Spurs, 124-113. All-Star guard Jalen Brunson had 25 points and eight assists to lead the Knicks to that victory.