### Knicks and Magic Shine Bright in NBA Cup Quarterfinals, Setting Up Semifinal Showdown The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic have both advanced to the semifinals of the NBA Cup, showcasing impressive performances in their respective quarterfinal matchups. The Knicks defeated the Toronto Raptors 117-101, marking their first advancement past the quarterfinals in the tournament's history. Meanwhile, the Magic overcame the Miami Heat 117-108, with Desmond Bane leading the charge with a season-high 37 points. Both teams will face off in Las Vegas on Saturday, December 16, 2025, in what promises to be an exciting semifinal clash. ### Breakdown of the Quarterfinals 1. **Knicks vs. Raptors** - The Knicks dominated the Raptors with a strong second quarter, outscoring Toronto 34-13, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 35 points, while Josh Hart contributed 21 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 points and 16 rebounds [https://nypost.com/2025/12/09/sports/knicks-storm-past-raptors-to-advance-into-nba-cup-semifinals, https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/knicks_take_down_raptors_to_reach_nba_cup_semifinals_117_101/s1_17395_43186631]. 2. **Magic vs. Heat** - The Magic's victory was fueled by Desmond Bane's stellar performance, where he matched his season high with 37 points. Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero also made significant contributions with 20 and 18 points, respectively. Despite a strong start from the Heat, who led 15-0 early in the game, they could not maintain their momentum [https://apnews.com/article/heat-magic-bane-nba-cup-quarterfinals-f830fe40d7b34b9d8f3ee4028486cc41, https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/magic_top_heat_117_108_advance_to_nba_cup_semifinals/s1_17395_43186560]. 3. **Historical Context** - This marks the Knicks' first advancement to the NBA Cup semifinals after two previous quarterfinal exits, while the Magic have reached this stage for the first time in franchise history [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/magic_knicks_bounce_into_nba_cup_semifinals/s1_17038_43184741, https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/emirates_nba_cup_2025_magic_knicks_advance_to_las_vegas/s1_16793_43185410]. ### Key Performances and Statistics - **Knicks' Key Players:** - Jalen Brunson: 35 points, 4 assists - Josh Hart: 21 points - Karl-Anthony Towns: 14 points, 16 rebounds - Team shooting: 52% from the field [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/brunson_knicks_punch_ticket_to_vegas_with_dominant_nba_cup_rout_over_raptors_117_101/s1_17396_43184732]. - **Magic's Key Players:** - Desmond Bane: 37 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists - Jalen Suggs: 20 points - Paolo Banchero: 18 points, 7 rebounds - Team shooting: 46.9% from the field [https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/3423542/bane-helps-magic-knock-out-heat-advance-to-nba-cup-semis]. ### Conclusion: A Promising Semifinal Ahead **The Knicks and Magic have both demonstrated their capabilities in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for an exciting semifinal matchup.** 1. **Knicks' Dominance:** The Knicks showcased a powerful offensive performance, particularly in the second quarter, which was pivotal for their victory over the Raptors. 2. **Magic's Resilience:** The Magic's ability to come back from an early deficit against the Heat highlights their tenacity and skill. 3. **Upcoming Matchup:** The semifinal game on Saturday will be a crucial test for both teams as they aim for the NBA Cup title, with the Knicks looking to continue their historic run and the Magic seeking to capitalize on their momentum [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/magic_knicks_advance_to_nba_cup_semifinals/s1_14822_43184464, https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/knicks_beat_raptors_to_advance_to_nba_cup_semi_finals/s1_17324_43186302].