One day after claiming the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup with a 124-113 comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas, New York Knicks coach Mike Brown praised the tournament but urged NBA schedule adjustments to avoid penalizing finalists. The league also announced the All-Tournament Team, headlined by Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Following their thrilling championship victory on December 17—detailed in prior coverage—Knicks first-year coach Mike Brown shifted focus to the team's punishing post-tournament slate. He highlighted an eight-day stretch with five games across three cities, culminating in a noon Christmas Day tip-off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I've been here for a week praising the NBA. The Cup is fun and first class," Brown said before Thursday's game at Indiana. "But somehow, some way they need to take a look at the back end of the schedule—at least for anybody who's in the final game—because it's almost like you getting penalized for winning it."
The itinerary includes travel to Indiana, home games vs. Philadelphia on Friday and Miami on Sunday, a trip to Minnesota on Tuesday, and a Thursday home matinee. Both Knicks and Pacers entered that matchup battered: New York without centers Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson, plus guards Josh Hart, Deuce McBride, and Landry Shamet; Indiana missing guards Tyrese Haliburton and Ben Sheppard, forwards Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin.
Brown adjusted minutes restrictions during the Cup chase but plans a return to regular-season norms. The organization opted against a banner for the title, though Brown stressed its enduring significance: "Heck of a month. Cherish this. We can talk about this for the rest of our lives."
On December 18, the NBA unveiled the All-Tournament Team, voted by media on group and knockout performances: Knicks' Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, Lakers' Luka Dončić, Spurs' De’Aaron Fox (who averaged 22.3 points, leading San Antonio in scoring, assists, and steals over their 5-2 run), and Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
