The New York Knicks have ignited their 2024 NBA Cup campaign with an explosive 111-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The game, held at the Wells Fargo Center on November 12, put the Knicks in a tight race for the top spot in Group A, now tied with the Orlando Magic. However, the Magic hold the tiebreaker, having defeated the Charlotte Hornets by a bigger margin than the Knicks did with the Sixers. As the tournament progresses, the question arises: Could the Knicks be the next underdog to defy expectations and make a deep run in the Cup?
Could the Knicks Be the Next Underdog Story in the NBA Cup?
This early success isn’t just about the numbers. Knicks’ forward Josh Hart has spoken out about the game’s unique energy—something that’s clearly feeding into the Knicks’ momentum. “It’s fun,” Hart said, “There’s a different vibe in the arena. Fans feel it. Players feel it. It’s the start of the season, and there’s a real competitive edge, with some extra cash on the line. It’s definitely a good idea, but the point-differential rule? That’s a bit much.”
And he’s not wrong. In last season’s tournament, the Knicks were caught in an awkward spot—a 24-point blowout over the Charlotte Hornets meant that star players were forced to stay on the court long after the game was sealed, all in the name of padding the score to improve their standings. That’s the downside of the NBA Cup’s point-differential rule, which some argue puts teams in a difficult position, risking injury just for an extra point.
Still, there’s no denying the Cup’s allure. The Knicks’ participation in the tournament could be the perfect cure for their slow start to the season. With the intensity of the Cup games, the team has a real chance to build some momentum. Last year, they made it to the quarterfinals, only to fall to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks—a painful loss, but one that showed how even a short tournament run can light a fire under a team.
And let’s not forget the shocking story of the 2023 NBA Cup. The Indiana Pacers, no one’s pick to go far, stormed through the competition and rode their Cup success all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. Could the Knicks be the next team to surprise the league?
The Knicks are gearing up for their next NBA Cup clash on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. With the way things are looking, this could be the spark that propels the team into a fierce season. But can they keep the fire alive?
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