Overview
- The Knicks entered their Black Friday matchup 2-1 in group play needing a win over Milwaukee to reach the NBA Cup quarterfinals, with a loss ending their run.
- Milwaukee activated Giannis Antetokounmpo after a multi-game absence with a left adductor strain, shifting the calculus for New York’s plans at Madison Square Garden.
- Coach Mike Brown has stressed the Cup’s importance, keeping starters on late in earlier group games to build point differential and simulate playoff pressure.
- Josh Hart publicly proposed awarding the Cup champion a half-game in the regular-season standings to create tangible value, noting the current final does not affect team records.
- Players have significant financial incentives for advancing, and Hart referenced replacing high-end watches reported stolen as a personal motivation for the prize money.