New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson ties franchise legend while leading Knicks to first Cup semifinal

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Dec 10, 2025 10:14 AM ET

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson delivered 35 points Tuesday night in Toronto to send his team into uncharted territory. The performance helped the Knicks beat the Raptors 117-101 in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, securing their first semifinal berth in the tournament's three-year history.

Brunson tied Richie Guerin for third place on the Knicks' all-time list with 87 career 30-point games. Guerin played for the Knicks from 1956-63 and earned six NBA All-Star selections during his time in New York.

Brunson shot 13-of-19 from the field and connected on 6-of-9 attempts from beyond the arc. The 29-year-old had 26 points before halftime, his most in any half this season. He added four assists and three rebounds across 39 minutes of action.

The Knicks became the only team to reach the quarterfinals in all three years of the NBA Cup. They had lost both previous quarterfinal appearances by a combined 32 points before breaking through Tuesday.

New York improved to 11-4 all-time in NBA Cup competition with the victory.

Jalen Brunson ties Richie Guerin for the 3rd-most 30-point games in Knicks history

Brunson's 35 points helps lead the Knicks to their first appearance in the NBA Cup semifinals pic.twitter.com/d7SMHIcZB2
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 10, 2025

Karl-Anthony Towns grabbed 16 rebounds while adding 14 points and Josh Hart contributed 21 points in the victory. New York will travel to Las Vegas on Saturday to face Orlando in the semifinals after the Magic defeated Miami.

Towns returned from missing Sunday's game against Orlando with left calf tightness. His presence in the paint provided the interior defense New York needed against Toronto's drives. Mikal Bridges scored 15 points and OG Anunoby added 13 against his former team.

Toronto's offensive collapse in second quarter proves decisive

Brandon Ingram led Toronto with 31 points but the Raptors could not overcome a disastrous second quarter. Toronto scored just 13 points in the period while New York put up 34.

The Raptors missed 13 of their first 15 shot attempts in the quarter and finished 5-of-21 from the field.

The Knicks led 69-52 at halftime after dominating the second period.

Toronto has dropped six of its last seven games after winning nine straight.

The Raptors went 4-0 in NBA Cup group stage play before falling in the quarterfinals. RJ Barrett remained out with a sprained right knee for his ninth consecutive absence.

The Knicks will face Orlando in Las Vegas after winning their previous matchup on Sunday 106-100.

Olamilekan Ajayi

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