Results, takeaways as Knicks and Magic advance to NBA Cup semifinals
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ESPN staffDec 9, 2025, 11:22 PM ET
Four Eastern Conference teams battled Tuesday for a spot in the NBA Cup semifinals with extra earnings on the line.
The Orlando Magic hosted their in-state rival Miami Heat before the New York Knicks took on the Toronto Raptors on the road.
Orlando defeated Miami 117-108 behind 37 points from guard Desmond Bane, his third game with 35-plus points this season, tied for the most in a season of his career, according to ESPN Research.
Bane’s fellow backcourt mate Jalen Suggs added 20 points, and forward Paolo Banchero added 18. Miami jumped out to a 15-0 lead in the first quarter before finishing the quarter 30-17. However, the Heat were outscored in each quarter the rest of the way. This marks the first NBA Cup semifinal appearance for the Magic.
New York will join Orlando in the NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas after dominating the Raptors 117-101, with Knicks guard Jalen Brunson leading the way with 35 points.
Knicks guard Josh Hart added 21 points alongside Brunson. Karl-Anthony Towns dropped a 14-point, 16-rebound double-double — his 17th double-double of the season and the second most in the NBA in the 2025-26 campaign. Brandon Ingram had a team-high 31 points for Toronto after a 17-point opening frame. No other Raptor had over 20 points. New York used a 34-13 second-quarter advantage to pull away and maintain control for a victory.
The Magic and Knicks will face off in Las Vegas on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Below are the takeaways from each game, as well as top moments and highlights.
