The New York Knicks ended a wait of more than half a century. By defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas, the New York franchise won the third NBA Cup in history and, more importantly, its first trophy since 1973, a date etched in the collective memory of the organization.

Created to bring more interest and competitiveness to the first part of the season, the NBA Cup fully achieved its objective. In Las Vegas, the intensity was reminiscent of the playoffs, a far cry from an early-season game.

A symbolic victory, but above all charged with emotion, experienced from the inside in a locker room transformed into a place of celebration, where the players took turns taking photos with the cup, particularly the younger ones, aware that they were living a rare moment.

As he left the T-Mobile Arena court, Karl-Anthony Towns summed up the moment simply, true to the team's mindset. "That's how we work," he said, walking towards the locker room, still buzzing from the intensity of the game, before shouting "MVP Jalen Brunson" in the tunnel. Brunson, the NBA Cup MVP, remained true to his usual low profile. Later, leaving the press conference, he simply gave a humble thumbs-up before once again letting the team speak for itself.

As he left the locker room, Towns described a strong, almost unreal feeling. "It's incredible," he repeated.

On the court, OG Anunoby was one of the key players in the victory. Dominant and impactful on both ends of the floor, he made a lasting impression. "I'm very happy," he commented. Deuce McBride, speaking spontaneously, summed up the performance in his own way: OG went out there and took over the game, leaving nothing for anyone. True to form, Anunoby immediately brushed aside the praise, but the entire locker room agreed on his crucial role.

With a broad smile, Mikal Bridges let his joy burst forth. Visibly moved, he emphasized the work accomplished since the start of the season and the identity of this group. "Winning this cup means a lot," he explained, but without losing sight of the main objective: the end-of-season trophy. For Bridges, every challenge is approached with the same mentality, and reaching the end of this tournament proves the group's willingness to rise to the occasion. On a lighter note, he confirmed his intention to buy the same imposing SUV as his teammate Mitchell Robinson, despite the latter's amused refusal, with the money earned from this victory.

Guerschon Yabusele was also experiencing a special moment. Between smiles, he spoke of a powerful feeling. For him, the NBA Cup is an important trophy, the first of the season, won after a true team battle. Winning with this group, after so many years without a trophy for the franchise, had a unique flavor. Even without having played in the final, Yabusele emphasized a key idea: this kind of victory belongs to the entire team. Ups and downs are part of a season, he explained, but as long as the team wins, that's what matters.

Pacôme Dadiet, the young Frenchman of Ivorian descent, shared this pride. He emphasized the importance of this success, especially in a city like New York. Seeing all the hard work behind the scenes rewarded with a title gave this moment a special meaning. For him, coming from another continent and experiencing this with teammates like Yabusele, Ariel Hukporti, and Mohamed Diawara makes the moment even more powerful. Regarding the bonus, Dadiet explained that he wants to be cautious, perhaps invest it, while still enjoying himself after all the effort he's put in. He also mentioned the close bond between the French players on the team and the mentoring role played by Yabusele, whose journey and return to the NBA are a source of inspiration.

From a sporting perspective, Jalen Brunson emphasized that this victory was primarily a team effort. Despite a performance slightly below his usual standards, he praised the crucial contributions of Tyler Kolek, Mitchell Robinson, and Jordan Clarkson. Robinson, in just eighteen minutes, grabbed fifteen rebounds, ten of them offensive, while also keeping Victor Wembanyama busy in the paint. Clarkson, who has struggled from beyond the arc in recent weeks, sank two consecutive three-pointers at a pivotal moment, allowing the Knicks to take the lead after trailing by ten points.

There was no champagne in the locker room, but a profound sense of accomplishment. For the Knicks, the manner of winning mattered as much as the victory itself. This NBA Cup, secured after a high-pressure, single-elimination game, could very well serve as a benchmark for the rest of the season.

In Las Vegas, amidst laughter, photos and the trophy being passed from hand to hand in the locker room, the Knicks showed above all that they had learned to win together.