The Emirates NBA Cup is a recent addition to the NBA schedule and so far, the results have been good as it has provided some great moments and excellent, inspired play throughout the early part of the NBA season. Of course, the Los Angeles Lakers were the winners of the inaugural cup with the Milwaukee Bucks taking home the hardware last season. This year, it was the New York Knicks who finished on top, defeating the San Antonio Spurs in an excellent championship game.
When the Lakers won the first cup, the franchise raised a banner in celebration of the achievement. The banner is completely different from the ones honoring the Lakers’ 17 NBA Championships, but is still in the rafters and would be added upon in any subsequent years the franchise wins the cup again. The Bucks also raised a banner in celebration, but it looks as if the Knicks won’t be following suit.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks will not be raising a banner in Madison Square Garden for their Emirates NBA Cup Championship, though they will have a celebration prior to their home game Friday night:
The New York Knicks will not raise an NBA Cup championship banner at Madison Square Garden, sources tell ESPN. The Lakers and Bucks raised banners for NBA Cup titles over the last two years. Knicks will celebrate with home fans Friday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 17, 2025
It is an interesting choice by the Knicks, who haven’t won an NBA Championship since 1973 when they defeated a Lakers team led by Jerry West, Gail Goodrich and Wilt Chamberlain in five games. Perhaps the organization prefers to hold out and ensure that the next banner raised is one for the traditional championship, but it is still nice that they will at least acknowledge it and celebrate with the fans, many of whom were very loud throughout the team’s run in Las Vegas.
This season is arguably the Knicks’ best chance in a long time to possibly take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. They currently own the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and are the favorites to come out of the East. And perhaps in winning the Emirates NBA Cup, they got a bit of a confidence boost that they can come through on the biggest stage of the NBA Finals in June.
Lakers looking for young 3-and-D players on trade market
The Lakers would love to be on the other side if the Knicks are able to make the NBA Finals, but the roster still could use some help, especially on the perimeter. And reportedly the front office is targeting young 3-and-D players in the trade market who could help this team make a leap.
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