The Emirates NBA Cup is a recent addition to the NBA schedule and so far, the results have been encouraging as it has provided some great moments and excellent, inspired play throughout the early part of the NBA season.
The Los Angeles Lakers were the winners of the inaugural NBA Cup, with the Milwaukee Bucks taking home the hardware last season. This year, it was the New York Knicks who finished on top in Las Vegas, 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. Albeit with reported pressure from the league to do so.
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 an NBA Cup champions banner.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Knicks will not be following suit at 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 title 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.
New York seemingly believes acknowledging their cup championship by celebrating with fans is sufficient.
This season is arguably the Knicks’ best chance in quite a while to possibly take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy. They currently own the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and are among the favorites to reach the NBA Finals.
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. The front office reportedly is targeting young 3-and-D players in the trade market who could help the team make a leap.
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