Jalen Brunson
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Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks will face the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup final Tuesday, December 16.
There’s only one game on the basketball slate tonight: the NBA Cup Final. TheNew York Knicks and theSan Antonio Spurs will square off at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with the chance to bring home more than $500,000 per player in prize money.
In its third year, the NBA Cup tournament has given fans some of the best basketball of the 2025-26 season. The Knicks beat theOrlando Magic 132-120 in the first semifinal on Saturday, followed by a thrilling 111-109 win for the Spurs against the reigning NBA champions, theOklahoma City Thunder.
Both New York and San Antonio enter their matchup on Tuesday, December 16 relatively healthy. The Knicks will be missing a couple of key role players while everyone is available for the Spurs. But their superstar could be on a bit of a minutes restriction.
New York Knicks Injury Report NBA Cup Final
The Knicks list two players on theofficial injury report for tonight’s game:Miles McBrideandLandry Shamet will be held out of tonight’s contest.
McBride is out for the third straight game with a left ankle sprain, which he suffered on Sunday, December 7 in a home game against the Magic. At the time of the injury, theNew York Post reported the fifth-year guard would be reevaluated in a week, so the earliest he could return is Thursday, December 18 against theIndiana Pacers. McBride is averaging 11.6 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists off the bench this season.
Shamet has not played since November 22 against the Magic, when he suffered a right shoulder sprain running into a screen set byWendell Carter Jr. When the injury occurred,ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the eighth-year guard would be out a minimum of four weeks. Shamet is averaging 9.3 points, two rebounds and 1.2 assists this season.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Report NBA Cup Final
Kyle Mangas, who signed atwo-way contract three days ago, is the only player the Spurs list on the injury report, meaning every key player should be available tonight.
Victor Wembanyama could see hisminutes limited again on Tuesday, as he works his way back from a calf strain that cost him multiple weeks. San Antonio’s superstar came off the bench for the first time in his career on Saturday in his first game back from injury. Helogged a total of 21 minutes, finishing with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, and he hit multiple big shots in the closing minutes to help hand the Thunder just their second loss of the season.
While the monetary reward for winning the NBA Cup is certainly nice, the Spurs are not going to prioritize winning this game over Wembanyama’s long term health. If “The Alien” is not feeling 100%, head coach Mitch Johnson said he’ll adjust the plan for him.
‘We are still learning and we want to be very mindful of that,’Johnson said on Monday.