The Orlando Magic and New York Knicks moved on to the semifinals of the 2025 Emirates NBA Cup after strong performances in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Magic rallied past the Miami Heat with a 117-108 victory, while the Knicks dominated the Toronto Raptors 117-101. The two teams will face off in the East semifinal on Saturday.
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
The 2025 NBA Cup bracket kicked off with decisive wins for the Orlando Magic and New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference. On Tuesday night, the Magic overcame a slow start against the Miami Heat, outscoring them by 19 points across the second and third quarters to secure a 117-108 victory. This performance highlighted the Magic's depth and ability to adjust mid-game, building on their emerging rivalry with the Knicks.
Meanwhile, the Knicks asserted control early against the Toronto Raptors, exploding for a 34-13 second-quarter advantage en route to a 117-101 win. The blowout underscored New York\'s offensive firepower and defensive intensity, setting up an intriguing Eastern semifinal matchup.
The rivalry between the Magic and Knicks has heated up this season, featuring hard-fought contests and tense moments, such as Magic wing Desmond Bane throwing a basketball at Knicks forward OG Anunoby. Both teams have shown promise in the conference, and their Saturday clash at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time promises more intensity.
Western Conference Preview
Attention now shifts to the Western bracket, with the Phoenix Suns facing the Oklahoma City Thunder at 4:30 p.m. Pacific and the San Antonio Spurs taking on the Los Angeles Lakers at 7:00 p.m. Both games will air on Prime Video, determining the West semifinalists.
