NBA Cup Semifinalists Finalized: Thunder Dominate, Castle-Led Spurs Upset Lakers; Knicks and Magic Advance

The 2025 NBA Cup quarterfinals concluded on Wednesday, December 10, setting the stage for the tournament semifinals in Las Vegas. The Western Conference matchups saw the Oklahoma City Thunder continue their historic season with a decisive victory over the Phoenix Suns, while the San Antonio Spurs, spearheaded by an exceptional performance from Stephon Castle, delivered a significant upset against the Los Angeles Lakers. In the Eastern Conference quarterfinals held on Tuesday, December 9, the Orlando Magic staged a remarkable comeback to defeat their in-state rivals, the Miami Heat, and the New York Knicks extended their strong run of form by overcoming the Toronto Raptors. These four teams will now converge in Las Vegas for the penultimate round of the inaugural mid-season tournament.

The Western Conference quarterfinals unfolded with a stark contrast in outcomes. The Oklahoma City Thunder, already widely regarded as the league’s premier team and the reigning champions, further solidified their standing with a dominant display against the Phoenix Suns. This victory improved their season record to an astounding 24-1, matching the best 25-game start in NBA history. Later in the evening, the San Antonio Spurs executed a high-octane offensive strategy to upset a Lakers squad that, despite its offensive prowess, struggled defensively.

In the Eastern Conference, Tuesday’s action provided its own set of narratives. The Orlando Magic, trailing by a significant 15-0 margin early in their contest, mounted a resilient comeback to secure a victory over the Miami Heat. This win marked a crucial moment for a Magic team that has shown flashes of potential. Concurrently, the New York Knicks, who have been experiencing a notable surge in recent weeks, utilized a commanding second-quarter performance to establish control against the Toronto Raptors, extending their winning streak to eight of their last nine games.

The semifinals of the NBA Cup are scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The matchups will feature the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference bracket, and the Orlando Magic taking on the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference showdown.

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Analysis of Quarterfinal Performances: Winners and Losers

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Dominance Undeniable
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the NBA Cup quarterfinals as the defending champions and holding a 23-1 record, a clear indication of their league-leading status. Their overwhelming victory against the Phoenix Suns in the quarterfinal, a 49-point differential marking the largest margin of victory in the league this season, served as a potent statement to the rest of the NBA. While the Suns were reportedly shorthanded, missing key contributors, the Thunder’s performance underscored a widening gap between them and other championship contenders. This contest marked one of the few occasions this season where the Thunder had single-elimination stakes, and their elevated intensity was palpable. The Thunder’s 24-1 start now ties the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best 25-game start in NBA history. This was their fifth win by 30 or more points this season, halfway to the single-season record of 10 such victories. As noted by sports analyst Ben Golliver, the Thunder’s offensive and defensive efficiency metrics, combined with their record, project a level of historical dominance rarely seen.

Stephon Castle’s Ascendance Continues for San Antonio Spurs
Stephon Castle, the consensus Rookie of the Year last season, has dispelled any lingering doubts about his long-term potential this season. His performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in the quarterfinal was a compelling exhibition of his growing impact. Castle, who recently returned to action after being sidelined for over three weeks with a hip flexor injury, delivered a season-high 30 points, complemented by 10 rebounds and 6 assists. His efficiency was notable, shooting 10-of-14 from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Castle’s all-around engagement on both ends of the court was crucial to the Spurs’ upset victory. In achieving a 30-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist game at 21 years old or younger, he joined a prestigious list of Spurs legends, Tim Duncan and Victor Wembanyama, highlighting his place among the franchise’s foundational talents. While Victor Wembanyama and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper garner significant attention, Castle’s recent display reaffirms his integral role in San Antonio’s future plans.

Los Angeles Lakers’ Defensive Woes Exposed
The Los Angeles Lakers’ defensive struggles were starkly evident in their quarterfinal defeat to the San Antonio Spurs. Entering the game with the 21st-ranked defense in the league, boasting a 116.2 defensive rating, their performance against the Spurs is expected to further depress that metric. San Antonio launched into the game with a 39-point first quarter and maintained offensive momentum throughout, scoring over 30 points in each of the first three quarters before closing with 28 in the fourth, culminating in a 132-point total, their fourth-highest scoring output of the season. The Spurs achieved this by shooting an efficient 50% from the field, sinking 17 three-pointers, and converting 29 of 36 free-throw attempts, all while committing a mere 10 turnovers. The Lakers’ perimeter defense offered minimal resistance on drives, and their transition defense was particularly porous, conceding 27 fastbreak points. A notable instance included Harrison Barnes securing an uncontested dunk in the first half due to a collective defensive lapse by the Lakers. Despite an elite offense powered by Luka Dončić, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, which typically secures victories, the Lakers remain the sole team with a winning record currently ranked in the bottom third of the league for defensive rating, indicating a critical area for improvement to contend for the Western Conference title.

New York Knicks’ Surge Continues into Semifinals
The New York Knicks have gradually built momentum throughout the season, emerging from an initial lackluster start to establish themselves as a significant force in the Eastern Conference. Their recent form has been compelling, with the team winning eight of their last nine games, improving their record to 17-7. This places them within two games of the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Their quarterfinal victory over the Toronto Raptors, characterized by a dominant second-quarter performance, served as a potent reminder of their capabilities. The Knicks are currently favored to win the Eastern Conference at +270 odds, according to Caesars Sportsbook, despite their current second-place standing. The upcoming NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas present a valuable opportunity for the Knicks to seize a national spotlight, potentially for the first time this season, and to further cement their status as contenders. For a franchise with a history of passionate support and a desire for tangible success, the NBA Cup offers a unique chance to lift a trophy, providing a significant morale boost ahead of the regular season’s midpoint. Key performances from players like Jalen Brunson have been instrumental in this recent surge.

Desmond Bane Justifies Magic’s Investment
The Orlando Magic’s aggressive offseason acquisition of Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies, involving a substantial package including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, a 2025 first-round pick (Yang Hansen), three unprotected first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2030), and a 2029 top-two protected first-round pick swap, initially drew scrutiny, particularly after the Magic’s slow start to the season. However, Bane has since found his rhythm and is now consistently demonstrating why the Magic invested heavily in him. After an initial period of adjustment to new teammates and a new city, Bane has been performing at a high level for several weeks. His performance in the Magic’s quarterfinal comeback win against the Miami Heat was a showcase moment, where he led the team with 37 points on an efficient 14-of-24 shooting from the field, including 6-of-9 from three-point range, alongside 6 rebounds and 5 assists. During the Magic’s recent 8-3 hot streak, Bane has averaged a team-high 22.2 points, with impressive shooting splits of 46% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range, and 96% from the free-throw line, along with 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists. His consistent output underscores his value as a borderline All-Star talent.

Grayson Allen’s Struggles Persist, Ejected in Suns’ Historic Loss
Grayson Allen, who began the season with a strong offensive output for the Phoenix Suns, has experienced a downturn in performance since his return from a quad injury that sidelined him for over two weeks. His struggles were exacerbated during the Suns’ historic 49-point quarterfinal loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the largest defeat in franchise history. Allen contributed only 10 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field. Furthermore, his evening was cut short in the third quarter when he was ejected after committing a Flagrant 2 foul on Thunder center Chet Holmgren. The play, which involved Allen throwing Holmgren to the ground, was reviewed and subsequently upgraded. While the Flagrant 2 call was perceived by some as harsh given the context, the incident regrettably contributes to Allen’s existing reputation and underscored a frustrating night for both him and the Phoenix organization.