Jalen Brunson unleashed a season-high 40 points, powering the New York Knicks to a thrilling 132-120 victory over the Orlando Magic in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals on Saturday night in Las Vegas. This hard-fought win, with its playoff intensity and back-and-forth drama, sends the Knicks—riding a five-game winning streak—into the championship against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
The T-Mobile Arena pulsed with energy as both teams traded blows, featuring 11 lead changes and 10 ties before New York pulled away late in the third quarter with a decisive 10-0 run, grabbing a 102-92 edge. Brunson, who has now scored 30+ points in four straight games, added eight assists and drained 16 of 27 shots, including a cheeky 3-pointer over a fallen Anthony Black that had the Knicks bench erupting.
Standout Stars Light Up the Scoreboard
Karl-Anthony Towns backed Brunson with a scorching
29 points on 9-of-11 shooting, plus eight rebounds, while
OG Anunoby chipped in 24 points in a display of Knicks efficiency—they shot a blistering
60.7% from the field and dominated the paint 70-62.
For the Magic,
Jalen Suggs was a first-half fireball, dropping
26 points (25 before halftime) with seven assists, but limped off in the fourth with a sore left hip after managing just one more point.
Paolo Banchero fought valiantly with 25 points, and Desmond Bane added 18, but Orlando couldn't overcome the absence of Franz Wagner, sidelined for weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Quarter-by-quarter, it was a seesaw battle:
-
1st: Magic edged Knicks 36-33
-
2nd: Knicks surged 38-28 to lead at half
-
3rd: Tight 29-28 Knicks favor
-
4th: New York sealed it 32-28
Playoff Vibes and What-If History
This clash felt like postseason hoops—physical, fast-paced, and packed with highlight-reel moments, from Brunson's step-back jumpers to Towns' pinpoint passes. At halftime, Brunson and Suggs both had 25 points, teasing rare NBA history: no regular-season game has seen 50-point scorers from both sides since 2000. But Suggs' injury derailed that script.
The Knicks, now
18-7 overall and winners of nine of their last 10, are peaking at the perfect time in this in-season tournament. Orlando drops to
15-11, heading to Denver on Thursday without full firepower.
Road to the Final—and What's Next
New York's championship date with the Spurs promises fireworks, especially with Brunson's hot hand and Towns' interior dominance. For the Magic, Suggs' hip is the big question mark—his early exit could signal trouble ahead.
Takeaway for fans: The Knicks are title contenders disguised as Cup hunters. Watch Brunson; he's turning MVP whispers into roars. Magic faithful, hang tight—Banchero's growth hints at brighter days.
Sources
1. New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic Live Score and Stats - CBS Sports
2. KNICKS at MAGIC | EMIRATES NBA CUP | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS
3. New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic Full Game Highlights - YouTube
4. New York Knicks vs Orlando Magic Full Game Highlights - YouTube
![[Brunson's Epic 40-Point Explosion Rockets Knicks to NBA Cup Final Over Battling Magic]](https://sportshub.cbsistatic.com/i/r/2025/12/14/e3f0f841-ec5f-418e-8e1c-643a491b5ea0/thumbnail/640x360/762b60d0f9d550043a6ff3dda53cdf48/spurs.jpg)