What the Knicks and Spurs bring to the Emirates NBA Cup final

The Emirates NBA Cup final features a rematch of the 1999 Finals. San Antonio Spurs enter at 18-7, fifth in the Western Conference, with a clear identity on both ends of the floor behind Victor Wembanyama's brilliance. The New York Knicks arrive with similar clarity, built around Mike Brown's pace and space system controlled by Jalen Brunson and a stellar starting five. 

How San Antonio plays

San Antonio’s defense is designed to remove early advantages. Ballhandlers are picked up high and guided toward help. Wings stay in the gaps, stunting into space rather than committing fully. Wembanyama and Luke Korent stay close to the rim to recover to shooters.

The Spurs prioritize taking away first actions. So the Knicks need to make quick decisions. They love to take away dribble handoffs and build a wall around the rim in zone formations. San Antonio is willing to concede contested mid-range jumpers if it means protecting the paint and limiting clean kickouts. But the Knicks are one of the best mid-range teams in the NBA. It helps to have Wembanyama on the backside cleaning up everything that gets by. 

Offensively, the Spurs operate with similar patience. Guards attack off downhill to draw defenders away from the perimeter. When the defense collapses, the ball moves to the perimeter or to cutters behind the play.

How New York plays

The Knicks rely on spacing and quick decisions to counter defensive pressure. Offensively, they're most effective when the ball moves early and attacks come through the middle of the floor. Early spacing prevents defenses from loading the strong side (where the ball is) and creates clearer reads on the drive.

Jalen Brunson's evolution in collapsing the defense without overdribbling creates opportunities for shooters and cutters. Karl-Anthony Towns adds a different dimension as a spacing big and facilitator above the arc and in the pinch post, forcing defenses to choose between protecting the paint and staying attached to the perimeter.

Defensively, New York is built on gap help and recovery. Mikal Bridges plays a central role by digging into driving lanes without abandoning shooters. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart support that approach from the weak side, helping on the drive and closing out in balance.

The bench bigs and control of the paint

The matchup between Luke Kornet and Mitchell Robinson shapes the game when the starters sit. Both anchor their second units defensively and influence possessions well beyond the restricted area. 

Kornet protects the rim without chasing plays, staying vertical and guarding two on a string in pick and roll coverage. Robinson counters with range and force. His rim protection deters drives early, and his ability to step up at the level of the screen and still recover allows New York to stay aggressive on the ball. 

Both players finish possessions on the glass. Kornet secures rebounds through positioning and box outs, limiting second chances and allowing San Antonio to get set defensively. Robinson attacks rebounds with speed and length, creating extra possessions and changing the texture of bench minutes. he's gotten better at spraying the ball out immediately on offensive boards, creating three-point shots. 

What to watch

Can San Antonio continue to limit second-chance points and protect the paint without giving up rhythm shots? Can New York maintain spacing and decision speed against sustained full-court pressure?

The two superstars will shape the game, but the win will be on the margins across all 48 minutes.