Knicks Dominate Raptors, Advance to NBA Cup Semifinals! (2026)

What a thrilling ride for Knicks fans—after years of near-misses, New York finally punches their ticket to the NBA Cup semifinals with a dominant victory! But hold onto your seats, because this isn't just any win; it's a story of redemption, stellar performances, and a Toronto team that's spiraling in ways that have fans scratching their heads. And this is the part most people miss: how a young tournament like the NBA Cup is reshaping the NBA landscape, turning mid-season games into must-watch drama. Let's dive into the action from Tuesday night, breaking it all down step by step so even if you're new to basketball, you'll feel right at home.

Imagine the NBA Cup as a special mid-season tournament—think of it like a playoff mini-series that kicks off right in the thick of the regular season. Teams battle through group stages and knockouts to claim bragging rights, and for the New York Knicks, this year's edition has been a rollercoaster of emotions. On December 9, 2025, in a packed arena in Toronto, the Knicks unleashed a powerhouse offense to crush the Toronto Raptors 117-101, securing their spot in the semifinals for the very first time after three attempts. Yes, they've been the only squad to reach the quarterfinals every single year since the Cup's inception, but their past two outings ended in heartbreaking losses totaling 32 points combined. Not this time—New York is now riding a 11-4 record all-time in Cup play, and they're ready to keep the momentum going.

Leading the charge was point guard Jalen Brunson, who exploded for a career-high 35 points, including an eye-popping 26 in the first half alone—that's the most points he's ever scored in any single half this season! Guard Josh Hart wasn't far behind, chipping in 21 points to keep the pressure on, while big man Karl-Anthony Towns returned from a brief absence and dominated with 14 points and 16 rebounds. For context, Towns had sat out the previous Sunday's game against Orlando due to tightness in his left calf, but he was back in action, proving his resilience. Wing Mikal Bridges added 15 points, and forward OG Anunoby, facing his old squad, contributed 13—talk about a dramatic reunion on the court!

The Knicks will now head to Las Vegas to clash with the Orlando Magic in the semifinals on Saturday. By the way, the Magic earned their place by edging out the Miami Heat earlier that same night—check out the full story here if you want the scoop on that matchup.

Now, speaking of the Raptors, they came into this game unbeaten in the group stage, boasting four straight wins during a hot 13-1 stretch. But here's where it gets controversial: what happened next? Toronto has plummeted to 1-6 since then, losing their last four games all at home. Is this a sign of deeper issues, like roster fatigue or a lack of depth, or just a slump that any team can hit? You decide—that's the beauty (and frustration) of sports. Despite their struggles, star forward Brandon Ingram lit it up with 31 points, and rookie Jamal Shead hit a personal best of 18, showing flashes of their potential. Center Scottie Barnes and guard Ja'Kobe Walter each netted 13 points, while Jakob Poeltl chipped in 10. Yet, the Raptors were playing shorthanded: neither of their former Knicks, Immanuel Quickley (out with illness) nor RJ Barrett (missing his ninth straight due to a sprained right knee), suited up.