NY Knicks beat San Antonio Spurs in NBA Cup final to end 52-year trophy drought

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OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks dunks the ball during the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

Getty Images via AFP

LAS VEGAS – The New York Knicks have a new motto – they will always “find a way to win”.

On Dec 16, OG Anunoby scored 28 points as they ended their 52-year trophy drought with a 124-113 NBA Cup final victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Forward Anunoby rattled in five three-pointers and point guard Jalen Brunson finished with 25 points, as New York clinched their first silverware since the 1973 NBA Finals at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

San Antonio went into the final brimming with confidence after upsetting top seeds and NBA champions Oklahoma City in the semi-finals thanks to a superb display from French prodigy Victor Wembanyama.

But a dogged all-round performance from New York kept Wembanyama in check, limiting him to 18 points while delivering a balanced offensive performance.

Seven Knicks players finished in double figures, with Anunoby and Brunson backed by Karl-Anthony Towns (16 points),Jordan Clarkson (15),Tyler Kolek (14) and 11 points apiece from Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.

Mitchell Robertson provided a vital defensive cameo from the bench, hauling in 15 rebounds with two blocks.

“OG Anunoby, Tyler Kolek, Jordan Clarkson, Mitchell Robertson – they played their asses off tonight,” said Brunson after being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

“Without them we don’t win this... We got down 10 or whatever it was and we found a way to win.