Overview
- The semifinals are Saturday in Las Vegas on Prime Video, with Knicks vs. Magic at 5:30 p.m. ET and Spurs vs. Thunder at 9:00 p.m. ET; the championship is Tuesday.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rises to No. 1 on the Cup MVP ladder after leading Oklahoma City to its 16th straight win and scoring 28 in the rout of Phoenix.
- The current MVP top five features Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, Stephon Castle, Desmond Bane and Karl-Anthony Towns, reflecting standout Cup performances.
- Brunson powered New York with 35 against Toronto, Castle sparked San Antonio with 30 points and 10 rebounds after an earlier triple-double, and Bane erupted for 37 for Orlando and noted motivation following a $35,000 fine.
- San Antonio continues without Victor Wembanyama, while Thunder guard Jalen Williams is ramping up after surgery, averaging 17 points, five rebounds and six assists in six games.